04/12/2007

Met Anti-Terror Chief Resigns: But Sir Ian Stays

Britain's most senior anti-terror officer, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman has announced his retirement.

Mr Hayman said that his decision was prompted after "hurtful" accusations and that he felt that it was "the right time" to step down.

He said: "Recent weeks have seen a series of leaks and unfounded accusations about me which I have and will continue to refute strongly."

Mr Hayman had faced criticism over the handling of the shooting of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Tube station in south London in July 2005.

A report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission said that he had misled the public following the shooting.

It also recently emerged that Mr Hayman was being investigated over expenses claims.

The UK's top policeman is continuing to hang onto his job, despite continuing pressure of him to resign.

Mr Hayman's own boss, Sir Ian Blair has however insisted again that he remains as commissioner after surviving a variety of attacks, including a vote of no confidence by London's police watchdog.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner faced down the vote after sustained criticism of his handling of the shooting of the innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes and its acrimonious aftermath.

Sir Ian has continually refused to stand down as head of the Met despite an Old Bailey jury finding that his officers had endangered the public when they killed Mr de Menezes, believing him to be a suicide bomber.

See: Top Cop Digs In

(KMcA)


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