9:04pm UK, Monday July 18, 2011
One of the Metropolitan Police's most senior officers, John Yates, has resigned over the phone-hacking scandal the day after his boss also stood down - as the police watchdog confirmed it is investigating four officers.
To view this content you need Flash and Javascript enabled in your browser.
Please download Flash from the Adobe download website.
Please download Flash from the Adobe download website.
Mr Yates admitted last week that he had not gone through bin bags full of evidence when deciding whether to reopen the phone-hacking investigation.
The Met has also confirmed that the former editor of the Irish edition of the NOTW, Alex Marunchak, also worked for the force on a freelance basis.
They said he worked as a Ukrainian interpreter once in 1997 and six times in 1999 as well as on two translation assignments.
They said that they "recognise that this may cause concern" and that the police's language service is investigating.
Meanwhile, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) deputy chair Deborah Glass said that it had received referrals from the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) about the conduct of four current and former senior police officers.
These involve commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, who had overall responsibility for the investigation into phone-hacking, and John Yates.
Mr Yates was referred for his 2009 review into the original phone-hacking investigation, as well as his overall role in relation to the investigation.
He was also referred for alleged "inappropriate involvement" in helping the daughter of a friend get a job.
Sky sources said that she was Neil Wallis' daughter, although the IPCC and Met Police would not confirm this
RESIGNATIONS: political reaction
Mr Wallis was the deputy editor of the NOTW who later worked for the police as a public relations adviser.
In 2009, Mr Yates served on the committee that vetted Mr Wallis for the job.
Last week, Mr Wallis was arrested and then bailed by police investigating the phone-hacking claims.
Sir Paul Stephenson quit on Sunday following criticism of the Met's decision to employ Mr Wallis.
There had also been questions about why Sir Paul had accepted free hospitality at a luxury health spa.
He insisted he had done nothing wrong and that his integrity remained intact.
Ms Glass said the IPCC would "follow evidence without fear or favour" and warned that people should not rush to a judgement before the investigation had been carried out.
In a statement, Mr Yates said he made the decision to stand down "with regret".
He said that the "threats we face in the modern world" meant that he would never forgive himself if he was unable to focus on his role in charge of counter-terrorism.
But he insisted he has acted with integrity
London Mayor Boris Johnson on Stephenson and Yates
Mr Yates resigned after being told he would be suspended as his conduct was being referred to the IPCC, the MPA confirmed.
One MPA member Christopher Boothman said Mr Yates' position had become untenable in the wake of Sir Paul's resignation.
Mr Yates has also been recalled by a Commons committee investigating phone hacking so MPs can "clarify" the evidence he gave them last week.
He expressed regret at his decision in 2009 not to reopen the 2006 phone-hacking investigation when he appeared before the Home Affairs select committee on Tuesday.
Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to Mr Yates, and called him a "well-respected detective".
He added: "What matters now is that we ensure swift and effective continuity at the Metropolitan Police Service."
In Parliament, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the resignations raised "serious questions for the Home Secretary and Prime Minister".
Ms Cooper said that Mr Cameron's judgement had been queried because of his appointment of the former NOTW editor Andy Coulson - who worked as Mr Cameron's director of communications.
Home Secretary Theresa May defended Mr Cameron and said he would be in the House of Commons to take part in a debate on Wednesday.
He is cutting short a trip to Africa and will return home on Tuesday evening.
The Commons summer recess has been delayed so that the phone-hacking scandal can be discussed.
The Home Secretary said: "I want to put on record my gratitude to John Yates for the work that he has done to develop and improve counter-terrorism policing in London, and indeed across the UK."
Mrs May announced that she has asked the IPCC if they have sufficient resources to carry out their work, and said that more will be made available if necessary.
She also said that she has asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) - which independently assesses police forces - to investigate the relationship between the Met and the media so changes can be made in the future
n the interim, Mr Yates will be replaced as the Met's head of counter-terrorism by assistant commissioner Cressida Dick. She is highly regarded at Scotland Yard but controversial for her command role in the police shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.One MPA member Christopher Boothman said Mr Yates' position had become untenable in the wake of Sir Paul's resignation.
Mr Yates has also been recalled by a Commons committee investigating phone hacking so MPs can "clarify" the evidence he gave them last week.
He expressed regret at his decision in 2009 not to reopen the 2006 phone-hacking investigation when he appeared before the Home Affairs select committee on Tuesday.
Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to Mr Yates, and called him a "well-respected detective".
He added: "What matters now is that we ensure swift and effective continuity at the Metropolitan Police Service."
In Parliament, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the resignations raised "serious questions for the Home Secretary and Prime Minister".
Ms Cooper said that Mr Cameron's judgement had been queried because of his appointment of the former NOTW editor Andy Coulson - who worked as Mr Cameron's director of communications.
Home Secretary Theresa May defended Mr Cameron and said he would be in the House of Commons to take part in a debate on Wednesday.
He is cutting short a trip to Africa and will return home on Tuesday evening.
The Commons summer recess has been delayed so that the phone-hacking scandal can be discussed.
The Home Secretary said: "I want to put on record my gratitude to John Yates for the work that he has done to develop and improve counter-terrorism policing in London, and indeed across the UK."
Mrs May announced that she has asked the IPCC if they have sufficient resources to carry out their work, and said that more will be made available if necessary.
She also said that she has asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) - which independently assesses police forces - to investigate the relationship between the Met and the media so changes can be made in the future
London Mayor Boris Johnson said it was right for both Sir Paul and Mr Yates to stand down.
He said: "I believe that both decisions are regrettable but I would say that in both cases the right call has been made.
"There is absolutely nothing that has been proven against the probity or the professionalism of either man.
"But in both cases we have to recognise that the nexus of questions about the relationship between the Met and the News Of The World was likely to be distracting to both officers in the run-up to the Olympic Games."
No comments:
Post a Comment