Soldiers could cover for Metropolitan Police firearms officers in London after murder charge sparks revolt

Armed soldiers could be sent to respond to incidents on the streets of London after murder charges brought against a firearms officer sparked a revolt in the Metropolitan Police.

More than 100 police officers are thought to have turned in their weapons permits on Friday and refused to carry out armed tasks, prompting Scotland Yard to turn to the military for assistance.

The backlash came a day after an officer, identified only as NX121 for legal reasons, was charged with murdering Chris Kaba, 24, in Streatham Hill, south-east London in September 2022.

Mr Kaba, a father-of-two, was unarmed when an officer shot him through the windscreen of the car he was driving.

Scotland Yard confirmed it had requested military support for counter-terrorism duties if armed officers are unavailable.

Earlier on Sunday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman ordered a review of the situation in an extraordinary intervention, giving her full backing to armed police, insisting officers “mustn’t fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties”.

The Met declined to say how many of the force’s 3,000 firearms personnel were refusing to carry arms.

A spokesperson said: “The Ministry of Defence has agreed to a request to provide the Met with counterterrorism support should it be needed.

“This is a contingency option that would only be used in specific circumstances and where an appropriate policing response was not available.

“Armed forces personnel will not be used in a routine policing capacity. We will keep the need for the support under constant review.”

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: “We have accepted a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) request from the Home Office to provide routine counterterrorism contingency support to the Metropolitan Police, should it be needed.”

It is understood that the army would only assist with specific tasks the police are unable to perform and would not perform any routine policing work, or have the power of arrest.

Related Article

Mrs Braverman said she had ordered a review to ensure armed officers “have the confidence to do their job”.

She said: “We depend on our brave firearms officers to protect us from the most dangerous and violent in society.

“In the interest of public safety they have to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressures.

“They mustn’t fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties. Officers risking their lives to keep us safe have my full backing and I will do everything in my power to support them.”

A Met Police officer appeared in court on Thursday in relation to the fatal shooting of Mr Kaba.

Senior officers, including Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley, have been meeting with firearms officers in recent days to reflect on the murder charge.

Scotland Yard acknowledged the situation had prompted “a number of officers” to “step back from armed duties while they consider their position”.

The Met is supporting officers who have stepped back from firearms duties to help them “fully understand the genuinely held concerns that they have”.