Britain`s metropolitan police chief resigns over hacking scandal ties

Britain`s Metropolitan Police chief Paul Stephenson resigned on Sunday after he was accused of having links with the News of the World, a newspaper which was closed for a phone hacking scandal recently.

"I have this afternoon informed the Palace, Home Secretary and the Mayor of my intention to resign as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service," said Stephenson in a statement.

"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," Britain`s most senior police officer added. "In particular in relation to Mr Neil Wallis who as you know was arrested in connection with Operation Weeting last week."

Stephenson was criticized for hiring former News of the World Deputy Editor Wallis, who was questioned by police investigating phone hacking, as a communication adviser.

It was also alleged that Stephenson spent time at a health farm where Wallis was working as a PR consultant after an operation on his leg before Christmas.

Stephenson said there were lessons to be learned from the issue, but he was leaving with his integrity intact.

Home Secretary Theresa May, who indicated earlier that she would address MPs on Monday about her "concerns" over the closeness of the relationship between News International and police, said she was "sorry" he had resigned and thanked him for his work.

The News of the World was the best selling Sunday newspaper of the News International, a subsidiary firm of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch`s News Corporation.

Source: ANTARA