2:50am UK, Monday July 18, 2011
Britain's top police officer has become the latest casualty of the phone hacking scandal after quitting over criticism of his links to a former News Of The World deputy editor.
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Sir Paul Stephenson announced his shock resignation as head of Scotland Yard following concerns about his relationship with Neil Wallis, who was arrested last week.
There had also been questions about why the Metropolitan Police Commissioner had accepted free hospitality at a luxury health spa.
Sir Paul's decision to step down was met with a combination of tributes and calls for further action as the hacking scandal widens.
He joins a growing list of victims of the controversy, including ex-Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson, former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and News Corp veteran Les Hinton - as well as the now-defunct News Of The World.
Sir Paul's links to Neil Wallis were criticised
In a statement, Sir Paul said he was resigning with his integrity intact - but admitted his links to Mr Wallis could hamper Scotland Yard's investigation into phone hacking, as well as preparations for the Olympics.
Sir Paul had been criticised after Mr Wallis, a former deputy editor of the News Of The World (NOTW), was hired by the Met in a public relations role.
He said: "The heroism and bravery of Met officers… is in danger of being eclipsed by the ongoing debate about relationships between senior officers and the media.
"That can never be right. If I stayed I know the inquiry outcomes would reaffirm my personal integrity.
Sir Paul Stephenson
"Therefore, although I have received continued personal support from both the Home Secretary and the mayor, I have with great sadness informed both of my intention to resign."
He stressed he had no reason to suspect Mr Wallis had any knowledge of phone hacking: "I have heard suggestions that we must have suspected the alleged involvement of Mr Wallis in phone hacking.
"Let me say unequivocally that I did not and had no reason to have done so."
Sir Paul had also faced criticism over the original investigation into phone hacking in 2006, but said he had no involvement in that probe - and had no reason to suspect the scale of the allegations would widen to include the likes of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.
His resignation came just hours after Mrs Brooks was detained in connection with phone hacking and corruption allegations just two days after quitting as News International's chief executive. She has since been released on bail.
In another developments, Ed Miliband is calling for new media ownership rules to limit the power of Rupert Murdoch's media empire.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson told Sky News he had accepted Sir Paul's resignation with "great sadness and reluctance" and said there was "no question about his personal integrity."
Prime Minister David Cameron said he respected and understood the decision, but he urged the Met to focus on ensuring investigations into phone hacking and corrupt payments to officers proceeded "with all speed, with full public confidence and with all the necessary leadership".
Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said he was "very shocked" by the resignation.
Sir Paul is expected to be quizzed by the committee on Tuesday.
It is thought his deputy, Tim Godwin, will head the Met until a formal replacement is confirmed.
READ MORE ON THE HACKING SCANDAL:
:: Brooks released on bail after hacking arrest
:: Brooks: Reaction to the former NI chief executive's arrest
:: Brooks: From teenage journalist to media mogul
:: Phone hacking: The people arrested so far
:: Timeline: How the hacking scandal has unfolded
Article Source KBG Test Blog (http://rc.kbg.me)
