Smith's olive branch to Boris on Met chief

JACQUI SMITH today pledged to seek an agreement with the Mayor over the next Met Commissioner as she sought to heal the rift over the appointment.

The Home Secretary told MPs she thought it important that both she and Boris Johnson should "very much agree" Sir Ian Blair's successor.

While she had legal responsibility for recommending London's next police chief to the Queen, she said all interested parties should have a full say.

Ms Smith's comments follow angry initial exchanges with Mr Johnson over Sir Ian's departure. Sir Ian was told the Mayor did not want him to continue in post and leaves at the end of the month despite having the Home Secretary's full support. Today, Ms Smith insisted suggestions that she and the Mayor remained at odds over appointing his replacement were not a "fair description" of the situation.