Former Police Scotland chief constable to join Metropolitan Police

Sir Stephen House - Image credit: David Anderson

Former Police Scotland chief constable Sir Stephen House is to join the Metropolitan Police in London as an assistant commissioner.

House took early retirement from Police Scotland in November 2015 after three years at the helm of the national force.

He was previously the chief constable of Strathclyde Police before becoming the first head of Police Scotland, and before Strathclyde had been at Met.

House’s time at the helm of Police Scotland was marked by controversy over use of armed police on routine incidents and consensual stop and search, particularly of minors.

There were calls for him to resign in 2015 following police call handling errors relating to the deaths of a young couple, John Yuill and Lamara Bell, who lay undiscovered in their car for three days following an accident on the A9.

Since taking retirement from Police Scotland, House has worked in private sector consultancy.

One of his key responsibilities in his new post, which he begins on 5 March, will be co-ordinating the force’s disclosure policy and practice, a high-profile issue in recent weeks, after claims that police have failed to disclose all the evidence to the defence in some rape cases in a timely manner.

The trial of 22-year-old Liam Allan collapsed in December 2017 after it emerged that messages casting doubt on the claims against him had not been provided to his lawyers.

All rape and serious sexual assault cases across England and Wales are now being reviewed.

House said he was “delighted” to have the opportunity to return to the Met.

He said: “I joined the police to serve the public and it is an honour to be able to return to the Met and work as part of a really talented team to protect the public and fight crime in London.

“London is a fantastic city and deserves world class policing.

“It is exciting to return to the Met at a time of transformation and to be a part of the effort in delivering that.”

Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick said: "I'm really pleased to appoint Steve to this role.

“He brings huge operational experience having previously served at senior levels in the Met and been chief constable of Strathclyde Police and then Police Scotland.

“He has also led some huge change programmes, most notably bringing together eight forces to form Police Scotland.

“Steve also has a strong track record in tackling violent crime – particularly domestic violence, knife and gang crime – both within the Met and then with huge success in Scotland.

“Having worked with Steve I know he has a passion for policing and public service that will be a great addition to our team.”

House’s contract will run for five years and he has said he will not draw his pension during this time.