IN five ignominious years running the Met Police, Bernard Hogan-Howe was guilty of two monumental disasters which should have disqualified him from public life, let alone from any further rewards.
Under him, Operation Midland probed a bogus “Westminster VIP paedophile” ring, credulously trusting a fantasist spouting a sick internet myth.
Carl Beech, himself a paedophile, was later jailed for making it all up — but only after Hogan-Howe’s force had destroyed the lives and spotless reputations of innocent veteran Tories.
He also presided over the epic disgrace of Operation Elveden, the failed bid to convict Sun journalists over payments for stories in the public interest.
Careerwise, Hogan-Howe still has one ace up his sleeve: He’s Boris Johnson’s friend. But he is clearly unsuitable to be head of the National Crime Agency, Britain’s FBI.
And Boris must not abuse what’s left of his power as outgoing PM to try to have his old pal installed there.
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Some of Boris’s worst decisions came from rewarding loyalty over competence.
The last thing his legacy needs is to repeat that in the dying days of his Premiership by doing this serial bungler a favour.
AS Boris’s era of charismatic showmanship closes, what are voters looking for now?
Britain is beset by grave problems. Short-term, with the cost of living. Longer term with low growth, low pay, high taxes and a bloated state sector . . . to name just a few.
The choice for Tory MPs and members must not just be who promises the swiftest fully-funded tax cuts, welcome though they would be.
It’s who is the brightest. Who has the most vision. Who best identifies and understands our problems and can enact solutions with laser-like focus. That is vital after so much Boris “boosterism” and so many unfulfilled promises.
The Sun has an open mind. But we don’t buy that the winner must be already familiar to voters. In two years any new PM will be a household name.
And whoever gets the job MUST promote the best talent, not just their friends and allies.
Labour are ahead in polls but have no policies. Their attacks on the Tory candidates look infantile.
For months Keir Starmer’s only pitch has been that he is “more honest” than Boris. Beyond that, there’s nothing.
If the Tories pick the right leadership team, he’s easily beatable.
THE scorching weather may be uncomfortable — but it has its consolations.
Especially with gas bills as they are.
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After all, who needs their cooker now?
By the weekend you’ll be able to fry a full English on the pavement.
