TW
0

By Ray Fleming

IN this space last week I wrote a couple of mildly approving pieces about David Cameron and his handling of the riots crisis.
To my surprise they produced two telephone and three face-to-face approvals -- surprising because the articles did little more than praise his business-like approach and stamina in his three-hour House of Commons session.

In Looking Around today I take a more considered look at Mr Cameron's reactions to the whole business and here I want to return to criticism I have already made of his relations with the UK police.

It is extraordinary that the prime minister has provoked a public row with Britain's most senior police officers: firstly by apparently taking credit for the surge in police numbers from 6 to 16'000 when this had been arranged while he was still on holiday; secondly for refusing any re-consideration of the impending cuts in police funding; and thirdly for publicly expressing his preference for the advice of the American “supercop” Bill Bratton who yesterday offered to take British nationality if it would enable him to be appointed Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

If Mr Cameron's aim is to sap the morale of the British police at a difficult time he can be assured that he is going about it the right way.
What other explanation of his actions is there?