Mayor backs Brian Paddick

The Dean of Lambeth and the Mayor of London today called for the reinstatement of police commander Brian Paddick, who was removed from his post following allegations that he smoked cannabis and allowed the drug to be used in his own home.

Canon Richard Truss and Ken Livingstone are among six signatories to a letter in today's Evening Standard supporting Mr Paddick, who has been taken off his duties in Lambeth.

Others are Matthew Collin, editor of The Big Issue, radio presenter Robert Elms and journalists Polly Toynbee and Deborah Orr.

Speaking at his residence in Waterloo, the Dean said: "Commander Paddick seems the sort of person who would take initiatives that are desperately needed in the borough. We need someone with imagination in policing and I would say Mr Paddick more than fulfils these requirements.

"I think that so far Commander Paddick has proved an inspiring leader of the police in Lambeth. He's also won great respect in the community at large.

"I admire him for sticking his neck out and experimenting with a relaxing of the cannabis laws. One of the principal motives was to save police time and I think most would agree that this has been achieved. It has also opened up the debate on drugs, which must be welcomed."

Although the Dean has not met Mr Paddick, he said he had read much about him and had met many police committee members who know his methods. He is finally due to see Mr Paddick tomorrow for a meeting with other ecumenical deans.

The Dean added: "I think to lose him for factors from his personal life would be tragic and it would also give out the wrong messages. It would suggest that we want policing to be the same as it was, which would be backward-looking. I think it's tragic that many people - especially in some sectors of the media - try to tie this up with his homosexuality.

"He comes over as a real human being which I think is especially important in the Brixton area. To be honest it may even help that he is being persecuted a bit. Of course, people shouldn't get away with crime, but there are communities within our borough that might feel persecuted and it's important that they are not just tolerated but honoured in their own right. I think that's the message he's sending out."

Meanwhile, Mayor Livingstone said on Carlton's London Tonight: " Brian Paddick is popular and does have the support of the community in Brixton. I think, whoever it was going to be, the first prominent gay police officer was going to get this and it's, I think, a lot of a witch-hunt."

Lee Jasper, the Mayor's adviser on policing, said of Mr Paddick: " He's a tremendously effective officer and his unique rapport with the community has got to be exactly what the Met is looking for to cope with policing such a diverse population. He's managed to dramatically drive down the number of street robberies in Lambeth and has also endured three deaths in custody of black individuals.

"It is his approach to community relations which makes him stand head and shoulders above many other officers - his sensitivity and the fact that he provides competent reassurance to the community is what makes him unique and inspires confidence."

Sack Brian Paddick?