The comments were made in a statement to the House of Commons concerning the Metropolitan Police Service.
The Home Secretary said: “The important work of the Met – its national responsibilities like counter-terrorism operations as well as the policing of our Capital city – must and will continue.”
May confirmed that Sir Paul Stephenson will be replaced by Tim Goodwin who becomes Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. Bernard Hogan-Howe – former chief constable of Merseyside Police and one of the candidates to become Commissioner when Sir Ian Blair stood down – will now assume the responsibilities of Deputy Commissioner on a temporary basis.
In addition, Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick will take over John Yates’ role.
The Home Secretary announced that she has asked Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to look at “undue influence, inappropriate contractual arrangements and other abuses of power in police relationships with the media and other parties”.
May said: “It is for the sake of the many thousands of honourable police officers and staff, as well as the public they serve, that we must get to the bottom of all these allegations. Only then will we be able to ensure the integrity of our police service and public confidence in it to do its vital work.”
It was also announced that Elizabeth Filkin, the former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, will examine the ethical considerations that should, in future, underpin the relationships between the Metropolitan Police Service and the media, how to ensure maximum transparency and public confidence and provide advice.
The management board of the Met has already agreed a new set of guidelines on relationships with the media.
The Home Secretary went on to state that she has commissioned work to look at whether the Independent Police Complaints Commission needs greater powers, such as the power to question civilian witnesses during investigations and a bigger role in investigating allegations about the institutional failings of forces.
Resignation statement from John Yates
In an official statement published on the Metropolitan Police Service website, Assistant Commissioner John Yates has explained his decision to stand down from office. Here’s the statement in full…
“I have informed the Home Secretary, the Mayor of London and the Chairman of the Police Authority of my intention to resign as Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. It is with great regret that I make this decision after nearly 30 years as a police officer.”
“I wish to pay tribute to the many fine officers and police staff with whom I have served. I will miss them hugely, but I know that they will continue to do their utmost to protect the public and of course this great Capital city.”
“We in the police service are truly accountable. Those of us who take on the most difficult jobs clearly have to stand up and be counted when things go wrong. However, when we get things wrong, we say so and try and put them right. As I have said very recently, it is a matter of great personal regret that those potentially affected by phone hacking were not dealt with appropriately.”
“Sadly, there continues to be a huge amount of inaccurate, ill-informed and – on occasion – downright malicious gossip published about me personally. This has the potential to be a significant distraction in my current role as the national lead for counter-terrorism.”
“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. The threats that we face in the modern world are such that I would never forgive myself if I was unable to give total commitment to the task of protecting London and the country during this period. I simply cannot let this situation continue.”
“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.”
“I have acted with complete integrity and my conscience is clear. I look forward to the future Judge-led inquiry where my role will be examined in a proper and calmer environment, and where my actions will be judged on the evidence rather than on innuendo and speculation as they are at present.”
ACPO president praises John Yates for “enormous contribution” to the police service
ACPO president Sir Hugh Orde has issued an official statement on the ACPO website in which he praises John Yates for his work within the police service.
“Assistant Commissioner John Yates has been a police leader on counter-terrorism and serious crime both in London and nationally over many years,” explained Sir Hugh. “He has made an enormous contribution to the service, including the development of counter-terrorism policing and in other areas such as the investigation of rape.”
The ACPO leader continued: “As a result of John’s professional knowledge and leadership, the public are safer and the policing response to crime improved. We owe him a debt of thanks for his work.”
In closing his statement, Sir Hugh said: “It’s important to say that the business of protecting London will continue unabated under the leadership now in place at the Metropolitan Police Service. Under Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin, with Cressida Dick taking charge of counter-terrorism and Bernard Hogan-Howe acting as Deputy Commissioner, the Met is being led by experienced and highly capable police officers.”
