British police chief quits over phone hacking
July 18th, 2011 - 3:05 am ICT by IANSLondon, July 18 (IANS) British police chief Paul Stephenson resigned Sunday following the phone hacking scandal, BBC reported.
The metropolitan police commissioner has faced criticism for hiring former News of the World executive Neil Wallis, who was questioned by police probing hacking, as an adviser. He said his links to the journalist could hamper the probe.
He said there were lessons to be learned from the affair, but he was leaving with his integrity intact. He also said he had no knowledge of the extent of the phone hacking.
“I have taken this decision as a consequence of the ongoing speculation and accusations relating to the Met’s links with News International at a senior level and in particular in relation to Neil Wallis,” BBC quoted Paul as saying in a statement.
Paul has also faced questions over his stay with his wife at a luxury health spa which employed Wallis.
The journalist was working as a public relations consultant for Champneys spa when Paul recuperated from surgery there earlier this year.
Earlier on Sunday, the former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks was arrested by police investigating phone hacking and corruption.
- 'Humbled' Murdoch denies responsibility for phone hacking (Lead) - Jul 20, 2011
- Murdoch says he's humbled by MPs' probe - Jul 19, 2011
- Another British police officer resigns over phone-hacking scandal - Jul 18, 2011
- Cameron says hacking probe to be widened, regrets hiring Coulson (Second Lead) - Jul 20, 2011
- News of the World ex-editor arrested over phone hacking (Lead) - Jul 08, 2011
- Rebekah Brooks terms phone hacking 'abhorrent' (Lead) - Jul 20, 2011
- Rebekah Brooks arrested - Jul 18, 2011
- Ex-deputy editor of News of the World arrested - Jul 14, 2011
- Phone hacking cases against News Corp to be filed in US courts - Apr 12, 2012
- News of the World's former editor charged - May 15, 2012
- News International acted decisively in phone hacking case: Brooks - Jul 20, 2011
- Rebekah Brooks released on bail - Jul 18, 2011
- Murdoch admits cover-up at News of the World - Apr 26, 2012
- News of the World's ex-managing editor arrested - Aug 03, 2011
- Rebekah Brooks, five others arrested for phone hacking - Mar 13, 2012
Tags: accusations, adviser, british police, chief executive, corruption, former news, health spa, journalist, metropolitan police, news international, news of the world, paul stephenson, phone hacking, police chief, police commissioner, public relations consultant, scandal, speculation, wallis, world executive