SAS cover Met Police gun cops who handed in weapons in protest after officer charged with murder

THE SAS was on call last night after more than 100 London gun cops handed in weapons in protest when a colleague was charged with murder.

The military was on standby after the force was left with “skeleton” cover when officers gave up their blue authorisation cards.

Only one of seven Counter Terrorism firearm units was understood to be in operation.

Firearms officers elsewhere in the UK refused to travel to London in solidarity with Met colleagues.

It follows the charging last week of an officer named so far only as NX121 over the murder of Chris Kaba, 24.

The rapper was shot in Streatham Hill, south London, in September last year.

The Met confirmed yesterday that the Ministry of Defence has agreed to a request to provide “counter terrorism support if needed”.

It said: “Armed forces personnel won’t be used in a routine policing capacity.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, meanwhile, ordered a review of armed police.

She said: “They mustn’t fear ending up in the dock for carrying out their duties.”

Met Commissioner urged a reset of accountability mechanisms so officers who use force in the execution of duty, and in accordance with training, will not ordinarily face prosecution.