The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Paul Stephenson, came under fresh pressure Saturday as it was claimed by Sky News that he spent time free of charge at a health farm for whom Neil Wallis, a former-New of the World executive who was arrested in connection with phone hacking last week, was working.
The claims came after it emerged that Wallis worked for Scotland Yard for more than two years as a media consultant, earning £24,000 during the period that the Met decided not to further investigate phone hacking claims against the News International newspaper.
Sky News claimed that Sir Paul spent time at the health farm while he recuperated from an operation on his leg.
The stay at Champney's health spa, who were being promoted at the time by Outside Organisation for whom Wallis worked as managing director, was paid for by a friend, who was managing director at the facility, Sky claimed.
The Sunday Telegraph also claimed Saturday that Sir Paul was "offered hospitality" by News International on 15 occasions between April 2007 and March 2010, and that he accepted 14 times.
The Met said that Sir Paul only learned of the connection between the health farm and Wallis on Saturday. They said in a statement:
"Following his operations, the commissioner stayed with his wife, at Champneys Medical from Monday to Friday over a period of five weeks earlier this year where he underwent an extensive programme of hydro and physiotherapy. This enabled him to return to work six weeks earlier than anticipated. As with many officers, the Met paid the intensive physiotherapy costs."
"The accommodation and meals were arranged and provided by Stephen Purdew, MD of Champneys, a personal family friend who has no connection with or links to his professional life."