Met Chief Blair Dismisses Ousting Reports

London's top police officers has dismissed reports he is getting the boot - saying "the report of my death is an exaggeration".

A daily newspaper today suggested the city's Commissioner Sir Ian Blair will not have his contract renewed in 2010, and will instead be urged to step down from his high-profile post by the Government and other police chiefs.

Sir Ian, who has overseen policing in the capital since 2005, has been subjected to a barrage of criticism since his appointment.

According to the newspaper's report, Sir Ian would be told in writing, this week, that his current contract will not be extended beyond 2010.

However, the Met Police Chief has said: "The story in today's Times has no basis in fact. Newspapers do not always get everything right,

"As Mark Twain said after reading an account of his own death in the New York Journal, the report of my death is an exaggeration. Same here, I have a job to do, I'm getting on with it, and will continue to do so."

Sir Ian also rejected speculation that the Home Office were behind the alleged plans to oust him, and insisted his contract renewal is not expected to be discussed until his last year in office.

The Commissioner has recently come under fire for alleged racial discrimination, cited by Britain's highest-ranking Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.

The fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistakenly identified as a suicide bomber, in 2005, has also loomed over Sir Ian's time in office.

However, the Commissioner survived a no-confidence vote from the Metropolitan Police Authority, last November, over that lethal blunder.

He is also said to be unpopular with his own officers - who feel he is too politically correct.

Today's newspaper article says senior officials accused Blair as acting as a "lightning conductor" for criticism.

(PR)