Sajid Javid accused Theresa May of making the "wrong decision" after she blocked a 3 per cent pay rise for the police, The Telegraph has learned.

In a letter to Downing Street, the Home Secretary criticised the Prime Minister for rejecting an official recommendation on increasing pay for officers of all ranks.

He said that he had been "strongly in favour" of the recommendation and warned the failure to accept it means officers will receive "only a small 1 per cent pay rise in reality".

On Tuesday Mrs May hailed the "formidable courage" and professionalism of the police and other emergency services who "ran towards" danger in the Westminster attack.

Her comments were criticised by the Police Federation, who accused the Prime Minister of celebrating the work that police do while "stabbing them in the back" over pay and budget cuts.