Sir Steve also came in for criticism during his time in Scotland over the force’s policy on stop-and-search and for deploying armed officers on routine patrols.

However, under his leadership, Police Scotland had success in tackling domestic violence, knife and gang violence.

He stepped down from his job at the end of 2015 and retired from policing, but returned when Dame Cressida appointed him her right-hand man in 2018.

He has proved a loyal deputy to Dame Cressida during what has been a tumultuous period in charge of Britain’s biggest police force.

Following her resignation last month, Sir Steve led calls for the matter to be reviewed amid claims that due process had not been followed.

Dame Cressida said she was standing down from her job last month after Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said he had lost faith in her ability to transform the force following a series of scandals including the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.

The mayor also expressed his shock and disgust at a police watchdog report that revealed how officers based at Charing Cross police station had shared racist and misogynistic social media messages.

But Sir Steve told the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee that the information could not have been a surprise to the mayor because the matter had been under investigation for four years.

He told the committee: “Only a few weeks ago, the mayor was a vocal supporter of the commissioner in a tripartite meeting with the Home Secretary. Hence my surprise at what’s happened.”

In a written statement to the Commons on Monday, Priti Patel confirmed that the circumstances of Dame Cressida’s resignation will be reviewed by the outgoing chief inspector of constabulary Sir Tom Winsor.

Dame Cressida’s departure date had been uncertain due to a wrangle with City Hall over her financial settlement, but it is understood that has now been resolved.

‘It is vital that we get the right person’

In her statement, Ms Patel said: “Dame Cressida Dick will conclude her tenure as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service in April.

“She deserves our profound gratitude for her decades of public service and leadership in policing, as well as our best wishes for the future.

“Dame Cressida has shown exceptional dedication to fighting crime in London and beyond throughout her time as Commissioner, as the first woman to hold the role of Commissioner.”

Ms Patel’s statement went on: “The Metropolitan Police Service faces major challenges and needs to demonstrate sustained improvements in order to regain public trust in London and nationally. It is vital that we get the right person for the biggest leadership role in policing in this country.

“I will shortly launch the process to recruit a new Commissioner and anticipate that it will conclude in the summer. I will then make my formal recommendation to Her Majesty the Queen.

“My recommendation will pay regard to the views of the mayor of London, as occupant of the mayor’s office for policing and crime.

“In the immediate term following Dame Cressida’s departure, legislation enables the deputy commissioner, Sir Steve House, to exercise temporarily the powers and duties of the Commissioner.

“Sir Steve and the mayor of London must drive improvement even before the next Commissioner is in place to ensure that the Metropolitan Police Service restores trust and takes every necessary action to keep the public safe.”

A spokesman for the mayor said: “Public trust in the Met Police is at the lowest level on record, following a series of devastating scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer and the overt racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia and discrimination exposed at Charing Cross Police Station.

“It was against this backdrop that the mayor lost confidence in the ability of the current Met Commissioner to lead the deep-rooted change needed.

“The mayor is now working with the Home Secretary to appoint a new Commissioner who understands the depths of the problems faced by the force and has a plan to restore the trust and confidence of Londoners.”