Boris Johnson makes first major intervention in Commons

Boris Johnson has made his first major intervention in the House of Commons since resigning as Prime Minister, putting pressure Sadiq Khan for his policing policy. He asked the Home Secretary Suella Braverman to ask Mr Khan to save Uxbridge police station, reminding the Mayor that it remains “vitally important” to provide the right place for new police recruits to be properly trained. Responding to his question, Ms Braverman hit out at Mr Khan for “wholly failing at fighting crime”.She criticised the Labour Party, claiming it has “opposed at every opportunity” policies aimed at “increasing the numbers of police officers on the front line and standing up for victims”.The only other time Mr Johnson has spoken from the backbenches since resigning as Prime Minister was to pay tribute to the Queen following her death. Speaking as the Home Secretary took questions in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson said: “Given that entry pay rates have already on the streets of London alone attracted another 4,734 police officers to join the Metropolitan police, and given how vitally important it is to continue to provide the right place for those new recruits to be properly trained, Mr Speaker, will she agree with me that Uxbridge remains the most sensible place in Hillingdon to have a police station?”He added: “Or will she join me in passing that view to the present Mayor of London?” The former Prime Minister asked Ms Braverman to ‘pass [his] view’ to the mayor of London (Image: PARLIAMENT.TV)Ms Braverman responded: “My right honourable friend speaks a lot of sense as usual.”And he has a huge amount to be proud of when it comes to increasing the numbers of police officers on the front line and standing up for victims – something that Labour has opposed at every opportunity.”May I make a humble request of my right honourable friend – may he give up some of his precious time to advise the current Mayor of London, who is wholly failing at fighting crime, having seen a 9 percent increase?”He really could take some advice from his predecessor.”Mr Johnson has repeatedly criticised Mr Khan for his decision to close all the police stations in Hillingdon apart from one. He previously said the decision to close most of the police stations in Hillingdon is “wrong”.In a statement on his website, Mr Johnson added: “While I agree we need to make best use of our resources and have as many officers on the streets as possible, closing Uxbridge Police Station is illogical for a number of reasons.”It is a purpose-built station, with excellent transport links and close to the Magistrates’ Court in comparison with Hayes which is difficult to access and requires significant improvements.”