By IANS,
London: 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.