The dramatic resignation of Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Paul Stephenson has shifted the focus back onto Prime Minister David Cameron’s appointment of Andy Coulson.
The Prime Minister is now on a long-scheduled trip to Africa.
In his statement, Sir Paul said that he did not want to “compromise” the prime minister by discussing former News of the World journalist turned police PR consultant turned phone hacking suspect Neil Wallis with him.
He defended the police’s appointment of Wallis despite his links with News International, saying:
“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.”
The former metropolitan police commissioner said he did not want to “expose” the prime minister by admitting a PR hired by the police was implicated in the phonehacking scandal.
“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 Mayor. Because of the individuals involved, their positions and relationships, these were I believe unique circumstances.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Sir Paul had “taken responsibility” and his behaviour was a direct contrast to the prime minister’s.
"It is striking that Sir Paul has taken responsibility and answered questions about the appointment of the Deputy Editor of the News of the World whereas the Prime Minister still refuses to recognise his misjudgement and answer questions on the appointment of the Editor of the News of the World at the time of the initial phone hacking investigation.
"People will wonder at why different rules apply for the Prime Minister and the Met, especially when as Sir Paul said himself, unlike Andy Coulson, Neil Wallis had not been forced to resign from the News of the World.”
She claimed David Cameron’s relationship with Andy Coulson was concerning.
“It is also a very serious concern that the Met Commissioner felt unable to tell the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary about this operational issue with Neil Wallis because of the Prime Minister's relationship with Andy Coulson. It appears that their compromised relationship with Andy Coulson has put the Commissioner in a very difficult position and made it even harder for the Met to maintain confidence around this difficult issue. Both David Cameron and Theresa May must take their share of the responsibility for this situation.”
But Prime Minister David Cameron said what mattered now was the police investigation on hacking.
"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.
"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."