'SAS on standby' during armed police revolt as officers stand down over Chris Kaba murder charge

25 September 2023, 11:30 | Updated: 25 September 2023, 11:48

A number of Met police armed officers have handed back their guns in protest
A number of Met police armed officers have handed back their guns in protest. Picture: Alamy/Family Handout

By Asher McShane

Special forces and regular soldiers are on standby after a revolt by armed police.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The army could be drafted in to cover for a contingent of Met armed officers who handed back their guns after a colleague was charged with the murder of rapper Chris Kaba.

Scotland Yard confirmed today that “a number of officers have taken the decision to step back from armed duties while they consider their position.”

The force said the Met still has a ‘significant’ firearms capability and weapons officers were still on site across London, at Parliament and at airports.

“Armed forces personnel will not be used in a routine policing capacity,” Scotland Yard said.

Read more: Police don’t want to live outside the law, says Met’s former 'top marksman' amid rebellion over fatal shooting

Chris Kaba was shot and killed in south London in 2022
Chris Kaba was shot and killed in south London in 2022. Picture: Family handout

It comes after Home Secretary Suella Braverman gave her public backing to marksmen and women who have to make “split-second decisions” and “mustn’t fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties”.

A number of special forces troops, including members of the SAS, are on standby in barracks waiting for news as to whether they will be deployed, LBC understands.

The force's commissioner Sir Mark Rowley welcomed a review into the situation, which Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she had ordered to ensure armed officers "have the confidence to do their job".

The scene in Streatham where Chris Kaba was shot dead
The scene in Streatham where Chris Kaba was shot dead. Picture: Alamy

The Scotland Yard chief said armed officers needed "sufficient legal protection to enable them to do their job".

Rishi Sunak said it "wouldn't be right" for him to comment on the case of the unnamed officer charged over the shooting of unarmed rapper Mr Kaba, 24, who was killed in September last year in Streatham Hill, south London.

But the Conservative Party leader said the guidance to firearms patrols needed to be reviewed to "make sure it is robust" and that it commands both public and police confidence.

Nick Ferrari speaks to former police marksman Tony Long

It comes after a Met Police officer appeared in court on Thursday in relation to the death of Mr Kaba, who died after being shot through an Audi car windscreen.

The officer accused of his murder is named only as NX121 after a district judge granted an anonymity order.

Since the charge was announced, more than 100 officers have reportedly handed in permits allowing them to carry weapons, prompting the Met to turn to the military for assistance.

The Prime Minister, speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a community centre in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, on Monday, said: "Our firearms officers do an incredibly difficult job.

"They are making life or death decisions in a split second to keep us safe and they deserve our gratitude for their bravery.

"Now it is important when they are using these legal powers that they do so with clarity and they have certainty about what they are doing, especially given the lethality they are using."

In an open letter to the Home Secretary published on Sunday, Met boss Sir Mark suggested legal changes over the way self-defence is interpreted in police misconduct cases.

He also put forward the introduction of a criminal standard of proof for unlawful killing in inquests and inquiries, along with changes to the threshold at which the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) can launch an investigation.

Sir Mark said: "There is a concern on the part of firearms officers that even if they stick to the tactics and training they have been given, they will face years of protracted legal proceedings which impact on their personal wellbeing and that of their family.

"While previous reviews have been announced, they have not delivered change.

"Carrying a firearm is voluntary. We rely on officers who are willing to put themselves at risk on a daily basis to protect the public from dangerous criminals including terrorists.

"Officers need sufficient legal protection to enable them to do their job and keep the public safe, and the confidence that it will be applied consistently and without fear or favour."

Sir Mark called for time limits for IOPC and Crown Prosecution Service processes to "reduce the punitive impact" on officers facing lengthy investigations.

He also suggested that more contextual information about incidents could be released "to ensure public confidence in policing".

The Metropolitan Police Federation, the group which represents officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector in the Met, offered Sir Mark its support following the publication of his letter.

The federation said: "Colleagues should not fear for their liberty and livelihoods for simply doing the job the public expect of us."

Ministers have looked to assure that the public will be kept safe after the armed forces were put on standby to assist the Met.

The force has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has agreed to a request to provide it with counter-terrorism support "should it be needed" as a "contingency option" if an "appropriate policing response was not available".

The Met said armed forces personnel will not be used in a "routine policing capacity" under the arrangement.

Housing minister Rachel Maclean told LBC: "They will be doing everything they can - these are trained professionals, and their job is to put themselves into harm's way in the line of duty."

She denied that armed officers were stepping away from protecting the public, telling Sky News their decision to hand back their firearms permits was likely to have been taken "reluctantly".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Renée Zellweger

Mad about the Box Office: Latest Bridget Jones installment smashes rom com record

Exclusive
David Gauke wants to reduce the size of the female prison estate to make room for more male inmates. File image shows Pentonville prison

Send fewer women to jail to make room for male inmates, says former Justice Secretary

x

Starmer will ensure UK is 'leading country' in European countries stepping up support for Ukraine

Gunner Beck

Women in Army subjected to 'disgusting' comments from male colleagues amid misogynistic culture, inquest hears

The aircraft can be seen upside down, with its wheels in the air, and the area thick with snow

Passenger jet 'flips over' during landing in Toronto leaving 15 injured - with three critical

Paula Miluska had started working from home in November 2022 due to her pregnancy illness

Woman awarded £93k payout after boss fires her for morning sickness by sending jazz hands emoji

c

Britain must take a ‘leading responsibility’ for peace in Ukraine, says PM as he calls for US ‘security guarantee’

Andrew Tate is facing allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

Trump team 'pressuring Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate'

Skyrora, a rocket company with its headquarters in Edinburgh

Scottish company promises to blast rockets into space from 2026

A petition calling for major driving licence changes has received almost 100,000 signatures

Petition calls for ban on newly-qualified drivers carrying passengers under 25

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by George, Charlotte and Louis - but who drew who?

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'