5,000 want Commander Paddick

Supporters of controversial police chief Commander Brian Paddick today presented a 5,000-signature petition to Scotland Yard calling for him to be reinstated.

Mr Paddick, 43, Britain's highest-ranking openly gay officer, was moved from his post in Lambeth to a desk job following allegations by his former partner James Renolleau which are the subject of a police investigation.

Mr Paddick spearheaded a "softly, softly" approach to cannabis in the south London borough.

"This is a display of support from the community of Lambeth," said Gibby Zobel, news editor of the Big Issue magazine which has campaigned on his behalf, adding: "We hope the groundswell of support will be taken on board."