Outrage at £1m flat for Sir Ian Blair

The former Metropolitan Police Commissioner came under attack today after it was revealed he still has use of a riverside "grace and favour" flat worth nearly £1 million despite quitting his job last month.

Sir Ian Blair stays with his wife Felicity in the three-bedroom, glass-fronted apartment overlooking the Thames in Chelsea.

Matthew Elliot, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "This flat is totally excessive as a benefit for a police officer and it's even more absurd Sir Ian has continued to use it after stepping down."

The Metropolitan Police Authority bought the flat in 2005 for £985,000, soon after Sir Ian's appointment. An MPA spokesman said: "Details of the arrangements made when Sir Ian Blair left office will remain confidential. Sir Ian will vacate the flat by the end of this month."

News that the former commissioner has not handed over the keys to the flat came as details emerged of a secretive bonus scheme rewarding the Met's top officers.

They shared more than £190,000 in one year as part of the performance-related Chief Officers' Bonus Scheme. It rewards 300 officers nationwide every year, although some are understood to refuse the payments.