THE plot to install crony cop Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe as the head of Britain’s FBI is an “establishment strict-up” , say critics.
A furious MP has written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel to demand to know why two other coppers in line for the top job at the NCA were suddenly rejected.
The ex-Met chief is PM’s choice to lead National Crime Agency despite botching investigations into historical sex abuse claims.
The probe tarnished the reputation of ex-Home Sec Leon Brittan and former head of armed forces Lord Bramall by investigating the claims made by lying paedo Carl Beech.
The fantasist also claimed he’s been abused by ex-PM Ted Heath but all his claims were proved to be total lies.
Beech was later sentenced to 18 years.
Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael has today written to Priti Patel, asking her to clear up why two shortlisted candidates were rejected.
They have also asked for any contact between Downing Street, the Home Office and Lord Hogan-Howe to be disclosed in the interests of transparency.
Mr Carmichael said: “Taken at face value this smacks of the worst kind of establishment stitch-up.
“This recruitment process has been hit with dither and delay, only for it to end up falling in favour of one of Boris Johnson’s long-time supporters.
“At a time when public confidence in policing has been rocked by scandal, we need to see the utmost standards of honesty and integrity upheld in high office. Handing out ‘jobs to mates’ is nothing of the sort.
“Priti Patel must urgently clear up some of the head-scratching decisions that have been made throughout this selection process, otherwise it’s hard to escape the conclusion that it has been rigged to suit.”
Lady Brittan, the widow of the former home secretary, also slammed the prospect of Lord Hogan-Howe getting the job.
She said: “It is essential that due process is followed with this appointment and that the track record of candidates is thoroughly considered.
“During his time in charge of the Metropolitan Police, Lord Hogan-Howe presided over numerous high-profile failures, including the pursuit of baseless allegations against my late husband and there is little evidence that he is a suitable candidate for this role.
“We must learn the lessons of the past when it comes to the probity and transparency of these public appointments.”
Lord Hogan-Howe retired from the Met in 2017 after overseeing its disastrous Operation Midland – which high profile figures were falsely accused of belonging to a child abuse ring.
He also did his best to lock up Sun journalists for doing their job and even ordered his heavy handed officers to raid their homes at dawn.
Furious MPs warned Boris to step back from the appointment of his pal.
Tory MP Tim Loughton, who grilled the copper in Parliament over his failings said: “The Home Affairs Select Committee raised serious reservations about the serious incompetence and back-covering displayed by police at all levels throughout the whole sorry saga of Operation Midland which wrecked lives and seriously undermined confidence in the profession.
“Far from anyone paying a penalty, some of the senior officers involved went on to greater and more lucrative roles.
“It looks as though that injustice could be about to be continued.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant added: “We can’t have failed Johnson cronies appointed to important jobs like this.”
And former No10 aide Dominic Cummings said the PM was “trying to appoint the guy who screwed up one of the biggest paedo inquiries.”
Yesterday Downing Street did not deny the PM favours former Met Police boss Lord Hogan-Howe to be the next director-general of the NCA.
The PM’s official spokesman said: “There is a fair and open recruitment campaign to recruit this role.
He added: “the Home Secretary is responsible for appointing” the NCA chief.
