Former Met Police chief Sir Robert Mark dies at 93

Sir Robert served as Britain's most senior police officer between 1972 and 1977, succeeding Sir John Waldron.

In a statement, the present commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, said: "It is with great sadness that I have to pass on the news that Sir Robert Mark died last night.

"Sir Robert was an extremely distinguished commissioner who will be remembered for his service to London and, in particular, for rooting out corruption from the Metropolitan Police during the 1970s, at a key period in our history.

"He was a man of the highest integrity and remains a role model to police officers."

Sir Robert began his career in Manchester before becoming chief constable of Leicester in 1957 and then Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner.