How did police bosses not learn to rearm Jake Davison?

POLICE bosses must never allow another horrific American-style shooting in Britain.

It’s shocking, then, that the force that rearmed maniacal Jake Davison before his bloody rampage a year ago seems to have learned little.

2

The critic of mentally ill women was given her shotgun and license by Devon and Cornwall Police despite a social media story that showed an obsession with gun slaughter.

Following the murder of five innocent people, including a three-year-old girl, Home Secretary Priti Patel has issued guidelines that no license or renewal should be issued without proper checks.

But the same force must now carry out an urgent review of all licenses after acknowledging fault in their issuance.

Police say they are acting within their powers and blocking anyone with known mental health issues or other issues.

But too often, killers like Davison have fallen under the radar before carrying out their slaughter.

Ms Patel is right to demand urgent answers.

Forces across the country should have raised their level after last year’s massacre.

We cannot let the lax oversight of our strict gun laws lead to another tragedy.

LOST OPPORTUNITY

THE next prime minister must crack down on endemic waste in Whitehall.

But Government Efficiency Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg is today revealing just how grueling it will be.

2

A new anti-fraud body designed to recover millions of pounds of public money was due to be launched last month.

But Treasury mandarins tried to sabotage the project at the last minute by stripping him of key powers to brief ministers.

The Whitehall ‘blob’s first instinct has always been to look after its own finances rather than the public purse.

But if a Conservative government with a huge majority can’t overcome these blockers, who can?

HOLD THE BANK TO ACCOUNT

THERE are people who grumble that Liz Truss dared to pinch the nose of the Bank of England boss.

Former Treasury minister Mel Stride, a Rishi Sunak supporter, suggested that Truss’ “sniping” of the bank over runaway inflation would only make matters worse.

But Andrew Bailey is not above criticism – nor should he be.

The unfortunate bank boss had a job to do: keep inflation at 2% or less.

And, by any measure, he failed – albeit under difficult circumstances.

It’s not unreasonable to want to know if he has a clear plan for the future.