Jacqui Smith has probably faced some unwelcoming audiences in her time as Home Secretary but it is unlikely she has faced one as tough as the 1,000 angry police officers she encountered on Wednesday.

Smith knew she was in for a grilling when she spoke to delegates at the Police Federation conference, furious that a pay rise, recommended by an independent panel, had not been
honoured in full.

Only the day before, it was announced that police had voted in favour of seeking the right to strike and so she understandably looked apprehensive as officers filed into the
vast conference centre in Bournemouth.

And barely had Jan Berry, the Federation’s outgoing chairman, begun her speech than the audience was putting the boot in.

Berry said she had seen a lot during her five years as chairman, including two Prime Ministers “and counting” and four Home Secretaries. “And counting” came a cry, to laughter from the delegates and a resigned smile from Smith.

It got worse. Berry said she admired Smith’s courage in coming to face the inquisition.

“I am sure when your Private Secretary reminded you of today’s event you felt like reaching for the nearest stab proof vest,” she said, in a mocking reference to recent pictures of Labour’s deputy leader Harriet Harman out in her constituency.

That was followed by a dig at Smith’s confessions she had smoked cannabis when she was a student.

“Your recent crimes have been more for the serious fraud office than the drug squad,” said Berry, drawing appaluse and more laughter from the delighted officers.

But the chairman was still warming up.

She asked how it was the government found 2.7 billion pounds to resolve the row over the abolition of the 10 percent tax band just days before an important by-election but couldn’t find 30 million money to pay for the police pay rise.

And when teachers went on strike recently over pay, Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, had said it would be irresponsible to override the
settlement agreed by their independent panel, Berry told her.

“Home Secretary, what is it that Mr Balls has but you do not?” she said, to howls of appreciation from delegates.

Smith, smile long gone, now had a face of thunder.