SCOTLAND Yard's counter-terrorism chief insisted his "conscience was clear" as he became the second high-profile Metropolitan Police officer to resign over the News of the World phone hacking scandal.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates yesterday bowed to growing pressure to quit as it emerged four Met chiefs -- including the former counter-terrorism head Peter Clarke -- are to be investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Mr Yates, 52, left his post amid allegations he “inappropriately” secured a job at Scotland Yard for the daughter of the news-paper’s former deputy editor, Neil Wallis.

Mr Yates also recently admitted that he had let people down -- including the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, whose phone was hacked by the News of the World -- by failing to investigate properly allegations against the tabloid.

On Sunday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson stood down over his decision to employ as a personal adviser Mr Wallis, 60, who was arrested as part of the phone hacking probe.

It is understood Mr Yates resigned within half an hour of being told by the Metropolitan Police Authority that he was to be suspended.

Mr Clarke, who was in charge of the investigation into the July 7, 2005, suicide bombings in London, is believed to be among the four being investigated by the IPCC along with Mr Yates, Sir Paul and a further, unnamed officer over their handling of the hacking scandal.

Mr Yates, who will also be investigated over his alleged role in finding a job for Mr Wallis’s daughter, said in a statement his conscience was clear and he spoke of his “deep regret” over his resignation.

In 2009, Mr Yates carried out a one-day review that concluded there was no cause to reopen the original 2006 hacking investigation.

Before he appeared before MPs at the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee hearing last week, Mr Yates admitted his decision not to reopen the investigation had been, in his own words, “pretty crap”.

Meanwhile, the Serious Fraud Office said it would give “full consideration” to a request by Labour MP Tom Watson to investigate out-of-court settlements made to hacking victims.

Home Secretary Theresa May announced HM Inspectorate of Constabulary would launch an inquiry into alleged police corruption, and that IPCC investigations would be part of the judge-led inquiry into the hacking scandal.

Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott claimed yesterday Sir Paul twice visited the Guardian newspaper to ask journalists to cease investigations into phone hacking.

Sir Paul had insisted his integrity was intact despite criticism for hiring Mr Wallis and the revelation that he accepted thousands of pounds-worth of free accommodation at a luxury health spa that Mr Wallis represented in a public relations capacity.

Mr Wallis, who is also a former editor of The People, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications and released on bail.

Mr Yates blamed the end of his 30 years as a police officer on a “huge amount of inaccurate, ill-informed and, on occasion, downright malicious gossip”.

“This had the potential to be a significant distraction in my current role as the national lead for counter terrorism,” he said.

“I see no prospect of this improving in the coming weeks and months as we approach one of the most important events in the history of the Metropolitan Police Service, the 2012 Olympic Games.”

Mr Yates said he would “never forgive” himself if he was unable to give total commitment to protecting London and the country.

He added: “It is a matter of great personal frustration that despite my efforts, on a number of occasions, to explain the true facts surrounding my role in these matters since 2009, there remains confusion about what exactly took place.”

 

Scotland’s top policeman in running for London job

David Leask and Gerry Braiden

SCOTLAND’S highest-profile police officer, Strathclyde Chief Constable Steve House, has emerged as a leading contender to become the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police following Sir Paul Stephenson’s resignation over the phone hacking scandal.

Mr House, a former Assistant Commissioner with the Metropolitan force, who is understood to be interested in the post, said yesterday that Sir Paul’s resignation would be a “loss to our service”.

He added: “On a personal level, I have known him for a very long time and count him as a friend. It is hard not to be saddened by this latest turn of events.”

It is understood the new Commissioner may well be appointed from outside the Met, putting Mr House firmly in the frame for the top job.

The last time the Met suffered a major scandal, in 1977, it poached the first-ever chief of Strathclyde, Sir David McNee, to put its house in order. Sir David oversaw Operation Countryman, ridding the Met of some 400 officers suspected of corruption.

Mr House was an Assistant Commissioner with the Met between 2005 and 2007. He formally oversaw the squad that shot Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Tube station two weeks after the 7/7 bombings but was away at the time of the incident.

Mr House’s rivals for the job include Sara Thornton, the Chief Constable of Thames Valley, who would become the first woman to hold the Commissioner’s post; and Sir Hugh Orde, once chief constable in Northern Ireland, and now president of the body that represents police chiefs in England and Wales, Acpo.

Born in Glasgow in 1958, Mr House has a London accent, having lived in England from the age of 10 until he returned to his native city in 2007.

Eighteen months ago there was speculation that he was eyeing a job running security for the 2012 London Olympics. The Herald understands he did voice a desire to apply for a senior job at the Met but did not follow through. Mr House might be tempted to remain north of the Border if he was appointed commissioner or chief of a new national police force.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is widely expected to announce a single force in September, which would potentially be in place as early as 2014.

One senior policing source said: “House’s view [at the moment] will be there’s no more scope for going upwards in Scotland. But there’s a lot of politics in this job and Hugh Orde moves in the circles of people who make decisions like Met appointments.

Another insider said: “It may be to his credit he’s an abrasive tough guy-type who could go in and sort out the mess the Met’s in, but how will a chief constable like House play with Boris Johnson [the Mayor of London], who will expect to exert authority over his appointment?

Ladbrokes were offering odds of 6-1 that the Scottish policeman would be picked for the top job in London.