The Johnson government completed a reset of Downing Street this week, but the

sucking of meth police chief Crestedick through the investigation into

Partigade into chaos. Following contact with the Mayor of London today, it is

quite clear that the Mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership

of the Metropolitan Police Service for me to continue as Commissioner. He has

left me no choice but to step aside. I say this with deep sadness and regret.

Welcome to Payne's Politics, your insider guide to what's happening in British

Politics from the Financial Times, with me Sebastian Payne. In this week's episode,

we'll be examining the abrupt departure of meth police commission of Crestedick,

who you heard at the top of the program and how it plays into Boy Johnson's hopes of resetting

his government. We'll be looking at the mini cabinet reshoffle, the new number 10 team,

and whether the police investigation risks to stabilising all that. Political editor George Parker

and chief political commentator Robert Trimsley will discuss. And later, we'll be looking at

the government's signal to end all COVID restrictions for England by the end of February,

and ask is it too hasty or a welcome term to normality? Is the decision driven by science or by

politics? Health editor Sarah Neville and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron Sleshi will explore.

Thank you all very much for joining.

So, after a dramatic fortnight, the Prime Minister finished that reset of his government.

A new team has been installed in Downing Street and mine a cabinet reshoffle has taken place

and Boy Johnson has pledged once again to listen more to MPs and have better links between the

parliamentary party and the number 10. But hanging over all this remains the Met Police's investigation

into the party gate scandal. Twelve parties are being investigated for potentially breaking COVID

...