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Why did Cressida Dick resign as Met police chief and who is her replacement?
CRESSIDA DICK was appointed in 2017 as the first woman to lead Scotland Yard in its 189-year history but she has now resigned.
Calls for her resignation have been brewing, but what lead to her finally stepping down?
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Why did Cressida Dick resign as Met Police Chief?
Dame Cressida Dick was the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in London and became the first woman to take over the role in April 2017.
There had been calls for her to resign since the Sarah Everard Vigil, when she was questioned over how she handled it at the time.
On top of this, a police watchdog found "disgraceful" misogyny, harassment and discrimination within the force.
Priti Patel also weighed in on Dick's leadership, calling it a failure.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan was not satisfied with Dick's response to the crisis after racist and sexist messages were exposed.
In return Dick decided to step down after 40 years on the force.
This is despite previous statements that she would not be resigning.
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Who is Cressida Dick's replacement?
No one has been announced to replace Dick yet.
There are, however, lots of high profile officers in the Met who have served for years that could take over the role.
Neil Basu, 54
Currently the Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations, Basu has served on the force since 1992 and risen through the ranks.
He has worked on numerous high profile cases and is responsible for national security.
Sir Steve House, 65
House is the serving Deputy Commissioner of the Met and has been working as an officer since 1981.
He was the first chief constable of Police Scotland in 2012 but stood down after controversies.
Nick Ephgrave
Starting his career with the Met and returning in 2018 he is the Assistant Commissioner for Met Operations.
He has earned multiple medals including the Queen's Police Medal in 2016 for distinguished service.
Helen Ball, 60
As Assistant Commissioner for Professionalism, Ball could become the second ever female Commissioner for the Met.
She has served since 1987 and has also spoken out about how the reputation of the Met has been damaged.
Who is Cressida Dick's partner Helen and do they have children?
Cressida Dick came out in 2017 and has a partner called Helen.
She worked for the Met Police, serving as a response team inspector at a police station in a busy south London borough, but retired in 2017.
In 2019, Dick told BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs programme that her sexuality is “one of the least interesting things” about her.
She added: "I happen to love Helen, she’s my partner, on we go."
The pair do not have any children and have not publicly discussed any plans to start a family.
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