PRITI Patel has ordered a shake-up of how top cops are chosen after the shock resignation of the Metropolitan police chief.
The Home Secretary wants an outsider who can reform the force’s culture instead of senior officers “inheriting” the job.
She has told allies she is determined to end the “Buggins’ turn” system — where appointments are made by rotation rather than merit.
Her resolve has been strengthened by suspicions “political skulduggery” led to the departure of Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
Whitehall sources say she was forced out by a Left-wing plot to undermine Boris Johnson.
They say it was no coincidence she was “thrown under a bus” after revealing the PM will only have to pay a £100 fixed penalty if found to have attended a lockdown-busting party.
Last night insiders accused London’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan of a cynical bid to promote a candidate to impose his own political agenda on the Met.
A senior government source said: “He used Cressida as a scapegoat for his own political ends.”
It made Ms Patel determined to freeze him out of the selection process for the next commissioner.
Ms Patel agreed to extend Dame Cressida’s term of office last September to give her more time to find a suitable successor.
She has the power to appoint Met police chiefs but must consult the London Mayor.
The Partygate police probe has spurred the Left to demand it is taken out of her hands this time.
Last Thursday, Mr Khan read the Operation Hotton report on racism, homophobia, sexism and bullying at Charing Cross.
Dame Cressida had no intention of resigning, but was notified the Mayor no longer had confidence in her and resigned.
Tory MP Sir Mike Penning said: “The hurried nature of events suggest he wants to place his own favoured candidate in charge of the Met.”
A spokesman for the Mayor said: “He hasn’t been involved in the parties inquiry.
“It’s his job to ensure there is trust and confidence in the Met.”
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