Len Duvall, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority has branded as “unacceptable” Sir Ian Blair’s recording of telephone conversations with Lord Goldsmith the Attorney General and members of the IPCC.
In a statement issued today Mr Duvall said he fully appreciated “the clear and understandable public concern about the issues raised by these events'” adding that it is the “MPA’s role is to hold the Commissioner to account for his actions”.
“On behalf of the MPA I have made it clear to the Commissioner that it is wholly unacceptable for private telephone conversations to be recorded without the knowledge and consent of both parties involved. The Commissioner accepts this and has given me an assurance this will never happen again.
In statements issued earlier today both the IPCC and Lord Goldsmith said they accepted Sir Ian’s apologies.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ken Livingstone have also expressed support for the Commissioner who once again finds himself having to apologise for his actions. In January Sir Ian was forced to apologise after questioning the level of public and media attention the Soham murders received.
