On Tuesday Keith Vaz MP, Chair of the Commons Home Affairs committee, announced plans to hold an inquiry into the force amid concerns about its historic performance and allegations of corruption.
Since 2012 the Met has answered directly to Mayor Boris Johnson and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime which sets its budget and overall strategic direction.
Both the force and MOPAC are scrutinised by the London Assembly’s police and crime committee.
However MPs failed to consult the Mayor, MOPAC or Assembly Members over their planned inquiry.
Appearing before the Assembly committee on Thursday, Deputy mayor Stephen Greenhalgh accused Vaz of “grandstanding” by announcing in the inquiry at the end of a question and answer session with Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.
Mr Greenhalgh said the MPs’ review was “ill-thought out”. He added that it failed to take account of the Met’s new governance arrangements and said it was hard to see what “value” the inquiry would have.
The Deputy mayor also suggested that with public trust in Parliament standing at just 40% the Home Affairs Committee may not be the right body to scrutinise the Met’s culture and public standing.
Also appearing before AMs, the Mayor said “no power on earth” would stop Mr Vaz and his committee from seeking publicity.
