- The Observer,
- Sunday November 11 2007
Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve has written to the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, asking her to clarify whether or not her officials questioned the legality of Blair's decision to suspend an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The renewed pressure on Blair, comes as London Mayor Ken Livingstone delivers a stark warning that the independence of Scotland Yard could be undermined if its commissioner is forced to quit.
Allowing Blair to be 'driven out' by media criticism over the Stockwell tragedy could render the job of Britain's most senior policeman worthless, according to Livingstone, who makes his comments on the BBC today. He will insist that both the government and other senior police officers were determined Blair should stay.
At the time, Blair said he feared an independent investigation could jeopardise lives. Grieve's letter states: 'In blocking the IPCC investigation, he placed himself above the law and in clear breach of his statutory duties and the will of Parliament."
