Sadiq Khan criticised over Euro 2020 final by Ian Collins

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The Mayor of London insisted the Metropolitan Police have his full support despite the chaotic scenes in Wembley and across the capital at the Euro 2020 final. Sadiq Khan said “we have to look at where the failure lies” over the Wembley Stadium security breach that saw hundreds of ticketless fans storm the venue. But talkRADIO presenter Ian Collins hit out at Mr Khan for announcing his face mask policy n public transport instead of dealing with the violence at Wembley.

Mr Collins said: “There’s Sadiq Khan for you. He’s thrown the dead cat on the table today with his face mask announcement.

“So we’re all looking over there than actually what the story should be, how did Sadiq Khan manage to so spectacularly balls-up policing of a major international sporting event that has implications for terrorism, terror, criminality and everything we saw on the stands including drunken abuse, smoking and drug-taking.

“It’s just beyond any form of belief.”

Amid speculation that under-pressure Met chief Dame Cressida Dick is considering seeking an extension to her term in Scotland Yard, Mr Khan said: “She has not told me what her intentions are.”

The mayor said that although the police had his full confidence, he often had “difficult” conversations with senior officers.

He told the PA news agency: “It was not right what happened on Sunday – not just at Wembley, but across our city with the hooligans, from outside London, breaking the law in Leicester Square, Liverpool Street, Trafalgar Square, Wembley, and so forth.

“The FA are reviewing their arrangements at Wembley, the Met Police Service will take part in that review.

“The Met Police Service as we speak are sifting through the CCTV and body-worn videos. Already, 86 arrests have been made.

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“I’d remind people that 19 police officers were injured. It’s really important that those responsible for criminal behaviour are arrested, charged and prosecuted.

“What’s also really important, that I say loudly and clearly: the police have my full confidence and full support.

“One of my jobs as the mayor is to provide scrutiny of the police service to help provide the checks and balances in a vibrant democracy.

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“The police should be properly policed and often that there are difficult conversations between me as mayor and the senior team at the Met Police Service, but they have got my full support.”

Questions have been raised about security at Wembley itself as well as the wider policing of the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy.

Mr Khan told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “It is a failure, we have to look at where the failure lies.”

Despite the criticism around the Euro 2020 policing operation, The Times reported that Dame Cressida is expected to make an informal approach next month for an extension to her contract as commissioner, which expires in April.

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