Armed officers from other forces will be drafted in to support the Metropolitan Police as it faces a revolt over the murder charge following the death of Chris Kaba.

Soldiers are also on standby for armed police after scores of Metropolitan Police officers stood down from firearms duties following a murder charge against one of their colleagues.

The Met Police said “a number of officers have taken the decision to step back from armed duties while they consider their position” and “that number has increased over the past 48 hours”.

“To ensure that we can continue to keep the public safe and respond to any eventualities, from Saturday evening Met firearms officers will be supported by a limited number of armed officers from other UK forces,” the force added.

The crisis has emerged after a police officer was charged with murder over the shooting of 24-year-old Chris Kaba, who was killed in September last year in Streatham Hill, south London.

The officer accused of his murder is named only as NX121 after a district judge granted an anonymity order.

The force’s commissioner Sir Mark Rowley welcomed a review into the situation by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, to ensure armed officers “have the confidence to do their job”.

It was also backed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said armed officers need “clarity” about their legal powers.

Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a community centre in Hertfordshire, Mr Sunak said armed officers are “making life or death decisions in a split-second to keep us safe” and “they deserve our gratitude for their bravery”.

He added: “Now it is important when they are using these legal powers that they do so with clarity and they have certainty about what they are doing, especially given the lethality they are using.

“That is why the home secretary has asked her department to review the guidance that the officers are operating under to make sure it is robust and that it commands the confidence, not just of the officers, but of the public as well.

“Obviously it wouldn’t be right for me to speculate on ongoing cases but that is what we are doing.”

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