Life peerage for Sir John on last day in Met job

Britain's outgoing top police officer has been made a life peer, Downing Street said today.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens was granted the non-political peerage on the recommendation of Tony Blair, a spokesman said.

The honour was announced on Sir John's final day after a 43-year career. In his five years in charge of the Met, he confronted some of the force's greatest challenges, including the threat of terror strikes on London after the September 11 attacks in America.

He will continue to head the inquiry into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, after his retirement and expects to hand his report to the coroner in June or July.

Friday was Sir John's final public day in the job. His successor Sir Ian Blair officially takes over tomorrow.

Sir John said: "I'm grateful to the Queen and Prime Minister for conferring this great honour on me. I believe this reflects on the support of my family, friends and all those in the Met police and other forces with whom I had the pleasure of working over the last 43 years.

"Without them this would not have been possible."