Rather than blaming Boris, isn't it more likely that "Ain't-My-Fault" quit before his pension and pay-off and knighthood was threatened (after all Mugabe lost his.)

His appointment was political. His departure a universal relief - and not before time.

Pinkie, London, United Kingdom

The Police exist to serve the public. Something Ian Blair never believed. He existed to serve his Labour masters and his warped social views. Well done Boris!

Ian , Brisbane, Australia

Singleminded, unilateral. Boris J’s Chinese visit stimulated the egotist. He now generates headline news for his personal benefit. Better to visit a Chinese tailor methinks? Can’t dress properly and now, unfairness - two British qualities not evident. Do unto others....time will tell.

AMcK, Linlithgow, Scotland

Even though I am a Tory supporter, I strongly disgree with political interference into a supposedly independent institution.

Claire Matata, Wirral, Merseyside

So what if it is political. Boris was elected democratically and the electorate will decide whether he is right or not. Let all mayors have this power or let Chiefs of Police be elected by the people so we can have the Police Force we want.

Paul Hart, Gloucester,

Stand by for the inevitable claim for unfair dismissal and a multi million payout.

Norm, Newcastle, UK

Seems people who don't like him have been feeding irrelevent information in sufficient volume to the media to raise questions ,which then give Johnson ample ammunition to proclaim a fresh start.
Yet again someone in a public office will be pushed out on the basis of hearsay.

Chippy, Bristol,

So much for an independent police force.

Ian, Huddersfield, Uk

Well done, Boris!!! Another Blair bites the dust!

Paul Freeman, London, England

South Wales chief constable Barbara Wilding, who helped devise the policing strategy for dealing with suicide bombers, is still in post though.

arthur bletchly, bridgend, uk

"Sir Ian is entitled to a full police pension. On the commissioner’s £240,000 salary that is estimated to be worth about £160,000 per year."

How does that work if he resigns because people can't work with him? Surely it would've been better to have sacked him?

louise Beard, guadalajara, mexico

Blair was 'Labour's favourite copper'. Now he is gone. Soon so shall they. Serves him right for siding with this failing and doomed government

David Gould, Brighton, Uk

“There comes a time in any organisation when it becomes clear it would benefit from new leadership and clarity of purpose. I believe that time is now,”

Who can argue with that?

Jono, Carmarthen,

It seems that with Boris, something happens. Let's hope that things continue to happen. Good on you, Boris.

Rokola, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Another media led prosecution, with sentencing by a bumbling incomptetant judge before the alleged crimes had been fully investigated! What amazes me, is the vigilante comments made by some readers who, do not have the full facts at their disposal. God help us all should they ever serve on a jury.

Mike C, London, UK

Bye, bye, Bleargh. time for a change.

Che Guevara , Caracas, Venezuela

Sir Hugh Orde is the man for the job ! The only thing standing in his way is Boris, who must recognise that Sir Hugh will not bow and scrape to his political agenda. The man's record in Northern Ireland in standing up to resistance from within the force, and the demands of politicians, is exemplary.

Paul McAlister, Simcoe, Canada

Most politicans are useless with a veneer of competence. Boris does it the other way around. If only there were more like him.

I agree with John, anyone with a spine would have admitted responsibility and resigned after the MET killed Menezes. His severance pay should go to the Menezes family.

Ed, Melbourne, Australia

Considering that Ian Blair was a political appointment, closely aligned to Nu Labour, it is a bit ridiculous for officers to complain about him losing his job because of political pressure.

If you live by the sword you must die by it.

Ed, Melbourne, Australia

Jon Livesey, Ian Blair was not the national "head of the police", he was in charge of the MET - i.e. London police. So the Mayor of London dismisses the Head of the London Police force... sounds reasonable to me.

Ed, Melbourne, Australia

Nice fat pension, how much money would a private sector person have to put away to get a similar amount? Public sector workers are now paid double private sector workers once the pension is taken into account. Thanks Gordon,

Ian, Tokyo, Japan

I still don't trust Boris Johnson, too cocky...

roge wheeler, Vallarta, Mexico

"Coup" is the apt word here. When the Mayor of London effectively dismisses a Head of Police who has national responsibility and the Home Secretary tamely accepts it, we can see the authority seeping away from this Government.

Imagine what we would say if this took place in some other country.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

While I shed no tears for Sir Ian Blair, is it not regrettable that the police force is now, clearly, cointrolled by politicians?

MarkS, Leeds,

Check "mate".
Master's move congratulations!!
Never thought I'd have any hope with conservatives, thanks!!

Pedro Chabert, Southampton / Lisbon, UK / PT

Sounds like an excellent promotion opportunity for that nice Mr Ghaffur...

Chris K, Cheltenham, UK

Good riddance! The worst police officer in the history of the Met.

Chris Bovey, Totnes, UK

I suppose he will resign and like all other disgraced senior civil servants will go with a fat payoff and he will also receive a pension even though he has resigned. Forced to retire as happened with the Hillsborough disaster?
Why does he not stay to prove that allegations are unfounded?

Jim Davies, Wirral, United Kingdom

About time this incompetent buffoon resigned, mind you, I expect he will get a nice payoff, as is the way to reward failure these days!

Graham , Littlehampton,

Hardly "Exclusive" - the Telegraph is running the same story as I type. However, good riddance to Sir Blair, would that we could have seen the back of the other Blair before HIS time too.

Pfffill, Shanghai, China

How does such an inadequate man get to such a post (and a knighthood).
He clung on despite collapsing morale, egregious blunders, corruption et al - he lacks even the requisite integrity, never mind the talent, leadership, etc.
Perfect metaphor for New Labour - same fate too we hope - booted out!

Cyril, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Good. He can now be prosecuted as an ordinary citizen!

Ian M Jones, Reading, UK

Boris, drive straight to LHR and get on a plane to bring you over here. Our need for you is greater than the UK need.

Keith Thomas, San Bruno, USA

Quote from Boris =' Just getting on with the job'

Andy Cappell, Midsomer norton Bath, England.

Surely this is a decision that should have been made by the Metropolitan Police Authority as a whole and not by one individual?.If my memory serves me correctly, it was only last month that the Authority endorsed Sir Ian as head of the Met..Another American political appointment policy.

Mike, Peterborough, UK.

Wow, maybe Boris can do something good after all... maybe.

Tony, Islington, London, UK

At last ! I hope others are setting their sights, far too many uselss appointees in public service. Let this be the opening salvo.

Wills, Soton, UK

At last!!! Any decent man would have resigned over the Menezes incident.

John, London,

Under estimate Boris Johnson at your peril.
One down one to go!

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire, London, England UK

Well done Boris Johnson, he is doing what he said he would do......removing political puppets and the cronyism that goes with them from positions of authority! Great news!

Stuart, London,

if only it's that easy to get rid of Brown.

Satnam Singh, kettering,

£3million + of contracts to a longtime mate ???

Something for his successor to investigate...

S David, London,

Go Borris me lad. You had the guts to do what others havent.
Well done.

Len, oban, UK

Well done Boris, this is great news- even though it is well overdue. I hope his liitle clique, and his dafter ideas (PCSOs) follow him asap.

Tim (ex TVP in Blair'sday), Exeter, UK

If it is found that the ex-Commissioner has abused public funds, I trust he will be reported to the CPS.

Well done Boris. Blair has been a nightmare from day one.

DB, London,

Shows that it's the Conservatives who make decisions and get things done?

Phil, Rugby, England

Past time!

Lisa, London,

Jump before he's pushed?
Well fancy that!

Dave Clemo, Kettering, UK

Good. Don't care if he was going before he was pushed, as long as he's gone. The man is a disaster.

Sarah, London,

Jumped before he was pushed?

R James, Bristol,

Fantastic news !!!!!!!!!!!!

IAN PAYNE, Walsall,

Although I feel saddened at the reported departure of Ian Blair his appointment was for all the wrong reasons, being clearly political. He has never had the support of rank and file members, and over the top PC has affected the moral and enthusiasm of front line officers. C.C. Mike Fuller step up!!

pip, Croydon, uk

Its about time to!

Jane Tolfts, Bishop's Stortford, Herts