Sunday 17 July 2011 marked a significant escalation in the phone hacking scandal when, just hours after 43-year-old former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks was arrested, 57-year-old Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson issued a statement from New Scotland Yard confirming his resignation from the GB pound 270,000 per annum post as Britain’s top cop.
Brooks had resigned her own position as News International’s chief executive only last Friday, and is due to appear in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee tomorrow to answer questions relating to alleged phone hacking (as is News International’s owner Rupert Murdoch).
Now, Sir Paul has stepped down amid a political furore surrounding New Scotland Yard’s disclosure last Thursday that Neil Wallis – former executive editor and deputy editor of the News of the World – had been paid as a PR advisor “to provide professional advice on the management of media matters” when the Met was being openly criticised for its failure to re-instigate its investigations into the alleged criminality at News International.
In an official statement (more of which anon), the Met Commissioner has insisted he had no grounds at all for suspecting Wallis was involved in the saga when he was employed by New Scotland Yard between October 2009 and September last year.
As you’ll no doubt be aware, Wallis was arrested last week on suspicion of conspiring to access voicemails.
Sir Paul Stephenson’s resignation statement in full
Here is a copy of the resignation statement made yesterday afternoon by Sir Paul Stephenson…
“I have this afternoon informed the Palace, the Home Secretary and the Mayor of London of my intention to resign as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.
“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 Mr Neil Wallis who, as you know, was arrested in connection with Operation Weeting last week.
“Firstly, I want to say what an enormous privilege it has been for me to lead this great organisation that is the Met. The recent example of the heroism and bravery of Met officers in chasing armed suspects, involving the shooting of one of my officers, is typical, but that episode is in danger of being eclipsed by the ongoing debate about relationships between senior officers and the media. This can never be right.
“Crime levels in the Met area are at a ten-year low. You have recently seen the Met at its glorious and unobtrusive best on the occasion of the Royal Wedding, the professional and restrained approach to unexpected levels of violence in recent student demonstrations, the vital ongoing work to secure the safety of the capital from terrorism, the reductions in homicide and continuing increased levels of confidence as the jewel in our crown of Safer Neighbourhood Teams serve the needs of Londoners.
“I am deeply proud of the achievements of the Met since I became Commissioner.
“Let me turn to phone hacking and my relationship with Neil Wallis. I want to put the record straight.
“I met Mr Wallis in 2006. The purpose of that meeting was, as with other journalists, to represent the context of policing and to better inform the public debate carried out through the media on policing issues.
“I had no knowledge of, or involvement in, the original investigation into phone hacking in 2006 that successfully led to the conviction and imprisonment of two men. I had no reason to believe this was anything other than a successful investigation. I was unaware that there were any other documents in our possession of the nature that have now emerged.
“I have acknowledged the statement by John Yates that if he had known then what he knows now he would have made different decisions.
“My relationship with Mr Wallis continued over the following years, and the frequency of our meetings is a matter of public record. The record clearly accords with my description of the relationship as one maintained for professional purposes and an acquaintance.
“In 2009 the Met entered into a contractual arrangement with Neil Wallis, terminating that in 2010. I played no role in the letting or management of that contract.
“I have heard suggestions that we must have suspected the alleged involvement of Mr Wallis in phone hacking. Let me say unequivocally that I did not, and had no reason to have done so. I do not occupy a position in the world of journalism. I had no knowledge of the extent of this disgraceful practice, and the repugnant nature of the selection of victims that is now emerging, nor of its apparent reach into senior levels. I saw senior figures from News International providing evidence that the misbehaviour was confined to a rogue few and not known about at the top.
“One can only wonder about the motives of those within the newspaper industry or beyond who now claim that they did know but kept quiet. Though mine and the Met’s current severe discomfort is a consequence of those few that did speak out, I am grateful to them for doing so, giving us the opportunity to right the wrong done to victims – and here I think most of those especially vulnerable people who deserved so much better from us all.
“Now let me turn to the suspicion that the contractual relationship with Mr Wallis was somehow kept secret. The contracting of Mr Wallis only became of relevance when his name was linked with the new investigation into alleged phone hacking. I recognise that the interests of transparency might have made earlier disclosure of this information desirable. However my priority, despite the embarrassment it might cause, has been to maintain the integrity of Operation Weeting. To make it public would have immediately tainted him, and potentially compromised any future Operation Weeting action.”
Reported displeasure of the Prime Minister and Home Secretary
“Now let me turn to the reported displeasure of the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary over the relationship with Mr Wallis.
“The reasons for not having told them are two fold. Firstly, I repeat my earlier comments of having at the time no reason for considering the contractual relationship to be a matter of concern. Unlike Mr Coulson, Mr Wallis had not resigned from News of the World or, to the best of my knowledge, been in any way associated with the original phone hacking investigation.
“Secondly, once Mr Wallis’s name did become associated with Operation Weeting, I did not want to compromise the Prime Minister in any way by revealing or discussing a potential suspect who clearly had a close relationship with Mr Coulson.
“I am aware of the many political exchanges in relation to Mr Coulson’s previous employment. I believe it would have been extraordinarily clumsy of me to have exposed the Prime Minister, or by association the Home Secretary, to any accusation, however unfair, as a consequence of them being in possession of operational information in this regard. Similarly, the London Mayor. Due to the individuals involved, their positions and relationships, these were I believe unique circumstances.
“Consequently, we informed the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), Kit Malthouse, of the Met’s contractual arrangements with Mr Wallis on the morning of the latter’s arrest. It is our practice not to release the names of suspects under arrest, making it difficult to make public details of the arrangements prior to Mr Wallis’ release the same day. The timing of the MPA Committee that I appeared before at 2.00 pm that day was most unfortunate.
“Now let me briefly deal with the recent story in relation to my use of Champney’s facilities. There has been no impropriety, and I am extremely happy with what I did and the reasons for it: to do everything possible to return to running the Met full-time and significantly ahead of medical, family and friends’ advice. The attempt to represent this in a negative way is both cynical and disappointing.
“I thought it necessary to provide this lengthy and detailed account of my position on aspects of the current media questions and speculation concerning my conduct. I do this to provide the backcloth to the main purpose of this statement.”
Reputation for sound judgment and integrity
“There are a great number of things I value as part of my professional life. Very high in this list are my reputation for judgment and integrity.
“On judgment: running a large and overwhelmingly successful organisation like the Met must be dependent to a great extent on others providing the right information and assurances.
“I could reiterate that I had no reason to doubt the original investigation into phone hacking or be aware of the documents and information in our possession and only recently provided by News International.
“I could point to the many other successes of the Met. I could point to the long history of how and why the relationship between the Met and the media has developed a way of doing business that has brought real benefits, but perhaps runs the risk of misinterpretation or worse. In this particular regard it is clear to me that the current furore marks a point in time: a need to learn and change.
“However, as Commissioner I carry ultimate responsibility for the position we find ourselves in at this present time. With hindsight, I wish we had judged some matters involved in this affair differently. I didn’t and that’s it.
“I do not believe this on its own would be a matter for me to consider my position as Commissioner.
“However, the issue of my integrity is different. Let me state clearly, I and the people who know me know that my integrity is completely intact. I may wish we had done some things differently, but I will not lose sleep over my personal integrity.
“Nevertheless, I must accept that the intense media coverage, questions, commentary and indeed allegations – as demonstrated by this weekend’s attempt to misrepresent my arrangements for my recovery from illness – not only provide excessive distraction both for myself and colleagues, but are likely to continue for some time.
“In particular, the Public Inquiry must take time, with even the first part scheduled not to report within a year. A year in which the Met must face not only the enormous challenges that are the staple diet of this incredible organisation, but also the 2012 Olympic Games.
“This is not a 12 months that can afford any doubts about the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. I have seen at first hand the distractions for this organisation when the story becomes about the leaders as opposed to what we do as a service. I was always clear that I would never allow that to happen. We the Met cannot afford this, and certainly not this year.
“If I stayed I know that the Inquiry outcomes would reaffirm my personal integrity, but time is short before we face the enormous challenge of policing the Olympics. This is not the time for ongoing speculation about the security of the position of the Commissioner. Even a small chance that that there could be a change of leadership must be avoided.
“Therefore, although I have received continued personal support from both the Home Secretary and the Mayor, I have with great sadness informed both of my intention to resign.
“This will allow time for the appointment of my successor and for that person to take a firm hold of the helm of this great organisation and steer it through the great challenges and necessary change ahead, unencumbered by the current controversy.
“I will miss many things, but most of all it will be the overwhelming majority of honest, hard-working professionals who it has been such a great pleasure to lead.”
Reaction to the news
In an official statement issued by 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Sir Paul Stephenson has had a long and distinguished career in the police, and I would like to thank him for his service over many, many years. Under his leadership the Metropolitan Police made good progress in fighting crime, continued its vital work in combating terrorism and scored notable successes such as the policing of the Royal Wedding.”
The Prime Minister added: “While I know that today must be a very sad occasion for him, I respect and understand his decision to leave the Met, and I wish him well for the future. What matters most of all now is that the Metropolitan Police and the Metropolitan Police Authority do everything possible to ensure the investigations into phone hacking and alleged police corruption proceed with all speed, with full public confidence and with all the necessary leadership and resources to bring them to an effective conclusion.”
Speaking to The London Evening Standard, Mayor of London Boris Johnson – Sir Paul’s boss – expressed his gratitude for Stephenson’s “outstanding leadership”.
Johnson commented: “It is with great sadness and reluctance that I have tonight accepted the resignation of Sir Paul Stephenson as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service,” he said.
“I would like to stress that I have absolutely no reason to doubt the complete integrity of Sir Paul, and I believe him to be a fine, passionate and committed public servant who has done a huge amount of good for our city.
“Sir Paul believes, however, that the phone hacking saga now threatens to become a serious distraction during the run-up to the Olympic Games. He has persuaded me that someone else should now be allowed to take his work forward so that the focus can return to policing and bringing down crime.”
Reaction from ACPO’s leadership
Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), has hailed Sir Paul as “one of the finest officers I have ever worked with”.
In an official statement on the ACPO website, Sir Hugh said: “The resignation of Sir Paul Stephenson comes as a matter of huge regret to the service. He is man of integrity and it’s of great sadness that he has felt the need to step down as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.”
Sir Hugh continued: “Throughout his time in the service, as Commissioner and in other roles, Sir Paul made an outstanding contribution to national policing, leading and developing work in areas including serious and organised crime, counter-terrorism and neighbourhood policing. I’ve known Sir Paul since 1982, and he is one of the finest officers I have worked with.”
In conclusion, ACPO’s leader stated: “Sir Paul has made clear he intends that this decision should ensure there are no distractions to the business of keeping the Capital safe in what is a critical period for London. He has taken this step entirely in keeping with the unswerving commitment to the best interests of Londoners that he has shown throughout his leadership.”
Statement from the Metropolitan Police Authority
In a glowing tribute to the departing Commissioner, Kit Malthouse AM – chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) – said: “Sir Paul Stephenson is the outstanding police officer of his generation: dignified, principled and fundamentally decent. It therefore came as no surprise that he was determined to put the reputation of the force he leads and his concerns about national security ahead of his own position as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.”
Malthouse added: “For 36 years, Paul fought crime with great courage and commitment, often in circumstances few of us can imagine. From gangsters in Liverpool to terrorists in Northern Ireland, and from Lancashire to London, he dedicated his adult life to the safety and security of others. His has been an exemplary career.”
The MPA chairman added that Stephenson’s resignation is “a terrible loss” for London and the nation. “That he has been driven from office by innuendo at a time when we face great challenges in crime and counter-terrorism should give us all cause to reflect on whether we have this issue in proportion.”
Malthouse stated: “Sir Paul’s mission in London, to settle the Met after a deeply turbulent period and focus it on fighting violent crime during a time of austerity, has shown significant results that will stand as a fitting legacy. We are all safer because of Sir Paul Stephenson, and I count myself lucky, proud and grateful to have worked with him.”
Sir Paul Stephenson: a career in policing
Sir Paul joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1975 and was appointed to the rank of superintendent in February 1988. Following a post in research and development he took operational commands in Lancashire and Northern Ireland with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
He was appointed assistant chief constable of Merseyside Police in October 1994 with direct responsibility for territorial policing operations.
His time on Merseyside saw him leading in areas of significant organisational change and high profile operational challenges, including the reduction of gun crime, anti-corruption and combating terrorist activity.
Sir Paul also negotiated the formal arrangements governing the provision of assistance by the Security Services to the policing of serious and organised crime following the enactment of the Security Service Act 1996.
On 1 May 1999 he was appointed deputy chief constable at the Lancashire Constabulary, responsible for the operations and operational support portfolios. He led the constabulary on strategic development including constructing the organisation’s response to Best Value, crime reduction and its development of problem-oriented policing, successfully embedding it within the policing culture of Lancashire. He remains an affiliate of the Centre for Problem-Oriented Policing in the USA.
On 25 July 2002, Sir Paul was appointed chief constable of Lancashire Constabulary, duly assuming responsibility for an organisation numbering over 5,600 staff and the provision of policing services to 1.5 million residents and visitors.
During this time he was the chairman of the Lancashire Criminal Justice Board and the Lancashire Strategic Partnership. The force consistently achieved a place in the HMIC ‘top tier’ of UK police forces, and reported record falls in burglary and rising police numbers.
During this period Sir Paul was also the ACPO lead on crime, working nationally with a number of key stakeholders to co-ordinate professional advice and guidance on crime-related issues to the police service and its many and varied partners.
On 16 March 2005, Sir Paul was appointed deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. His role includes the function of chief operating officer and, in particular, oversight of strategy, organisational performance and diversity.
In March 2007, Sir Paul was appointed to the board of the National Policing Improvement Agency. He was awarded the Queen’s Policing Medal for services to policing in May 2000, and received a knighthood in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours List of June 2008.
On December 1 2008, Sir Paul became the acting commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service before, on January 28 2009, taking on the role of Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.
