Home Secretary stony-faced over 'betrayal' of police service accusation » Central Government » 24dash.com

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith stood stony-faced today as she was berated by the leader of rank-and-file police officers over her handling of police pay.

Police Federation chairman Jan Berry accused the Home Secretary of "betraying" the police service.

She also ridiculed Ms Smith - as the two women shared a stage at the federation's annual conference - for her admission that she took cannabis in her youth.

Mrs Berry said: "Your recent crimes have been more for the serious fraud office than the drug squad."

The Home Secretary looked uncomfortable as she faced 1,000 delegates.

Mrs Berry praised the politician for facing the conference, but added: "I am sure ... you felt like reaching for a stab proof vest and perhaps slipping into old habits and lighting up to calm your nerves."

Ms Smith at first smiled at the comments but later turned stony-faced at the criticism levelled by the police leader.

"Your decision not to honour the pay award was a breach of faith," said Mrs Berry.

"It was a monumental mistake, and I don't say this lightly when I say you betrayed the police service."

Mrs Berry went on: "How was it that the Government found £2.7 billion to dig itself out of a tax hole in advance of a by-election but couldn't find £30 million to honour our pay deal?"

The Home Secretary's appearance at the conference in Bournemouth came the day after officers voted to lobby for the same rights as other workers, including the right to strike.

"When teachers went on strike, the Prime Minister and the Education Secretary's response was to say that it would be 'irresponsible' to over-ride the settlement recommended by their independent pay review panel," said Mrs Berry.

"So it suited Mr Balls to defend the teachers' pay deal but it didn't suit you to do the same for us.

"Home Secretary, what is it Mr Balls has but you do not?"

Mrs Berry received a standing ovation from delegates, with the Home Secretary joining the gesture.

The federation chairman had pledged that delegates would be "professional and courteous" to the politician, who was given a brief round of applause as she stood to deliver her speech.

The long-running row over pay peaked in January as an estimated 22,000 officers marched on Westminster, after the decision to introduce a 2.5% pay rise in stages, effectively reducing the overall award to 1.9%.

Yesterday's vote was a step towards the first police strike for nearly 90 years.

The police last went on strike in 1918 and 1919 in Liverpool and London, leading to the government banning officers from taking industrial action or belonging to a trade union.