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Met officers cleared over hacking misconduct claims Met officers cleared over hacking misconduct claims
(40 minutes later)
The former Metropolitan Police commissioner has been cleared of misconduct during the phone hacking inquiry by the police watchdog.The former Metropolitan Police commissioner has been cleared of misconduct during the phone hacking inquiry by the police watchdog.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said Sir Paul Stephenson had not committed any criminal acts.The Independent Police Complaints Commission said Sir Paul Stephenson had not committed any criminal acts.
An independent inquiry will examine claims former assistant commissioner John Yates secured a job for a News of the World executive's daughter.An independent inquiry will examine claims former assistant commissioner John Yates secured a job for a News of the World executive's daughter.
Three senior officers resigned from their posts in the wake of the scandal.Three senior officers resigned from their posts in the wake of the scandal.
The IPCC report also cleared former Assistant Commissioners John Yates, and Andy Hayman, and the former Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke of misconduct over phone hacking. The href="http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/Documents/MPA%20referrals%20decision%2017%20Aug%202011.pdf" >IPCC report also cleared former Assistant Commissioners John Yates, and Andy Hayman, and the former Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke of misconduct over phone hacking.
Sir Paul Stephenson said the outcome was "as I would have expected it to be" and he regretted resources "have had to be expended on this matter".Sir Paul Stephenson said the outcome was "as I would have expected it to be" and he regretted resources "have had to be expended on this matter".
John Yates said he pleased to be cleared of wrongdoing over hacking, but said he was disappointed in the decision to further investigate his "peripheral involvement" in the recruitment of the NoW executive Neil Wallis's daughter. John Yates said he was pleased to be cleared of wrongdoing over hacking, but was disappointed in the decision to further investigate his "peripheral involvement" in the recruitment of the NoW executive Neil Wallis's daughter in a civilian non-operational role.
"I strongly deny any wrongdoing and I am completely confident that I will be exonerated," he said."I strongly deny any wrongdoing and I am completely confident that I will be exonerated," he said.
'Different decisions''Different decisions'
It comes after a letter suggesting senior executives at the News of the World knew phone hacking was taking place was published by the Commons culture committee.It comes after a letter suggesting senior executives at the News of the World knew phone hacking was taking place was published by the Commons culture committee.
Written by former royal editor Clive Goodman as he appealed against his dismissal in 2007, the letter says hacking was "widely discussed" at the paper.Written by former royal editor Clive Goodman as he appealed against his dismissal in 2007, the letter says hacking was "widely discussed" at the paper.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he would have "taken different decisions" over the appointment of former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as his director of communications if he had "known then all the things I know now".Prime Minister David Cameron said he would have "taken different decisions" over the appointment of former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as his director of communications if he had "known then all the things I know now".
Sir Paul resigned in July following criticism for hiring Mr Wallis - who has been questioned by police investigating hacking - as an adviser.Sir Paul resigned in July following criticism for hiring Mr Wallis - who has been questioned by police investigating hacking - as an adviser.
IPCC deputy chair Deborah Glass said it had affected public confidence in the inquiry.IPCC deputy chair Deborah Glass said it had affected public confidence in the inquiry.
"But, while there can be little doubt of the effect on the public's mind about the series of revelations regarding connections between senior police officers and News International, the IPCC must identify what is, and what is not, conduct that needs to be investigated," she said."But, while there can be little doubt of the effect on the public's mind about the series of revelations regarding connections between senior police officers and News International, the IPCC must identify what is, and what is not, conduct that needs to be investigated," she said.
Sir Paul was referred to the IPCC because of his responsibility for the alleged failings of John Yates, but the report said the fact one of his officers may have carried out a poor investigation did not constitute a misconduct offence.Sir Paul was referred to the IPCC because of his responsibility for the alleged failings of John Yates, but the report said the fact one of his officers may have carried out a poor investigation did not constitute a misconduct offence.
The report also considered Sir Paul's acceptance of hospitality from a family friend at Champneys Medical while he was on sick leave.
Ms Glass said: "The public will make its own judgment about whether any senior public official should accept hospitality to this extent from anyone - or indeed about a policy which regards hospitality as acceptable merely because it is disclosed."
But she said it did not amount to misconduct or require any further investigation.
'Serious issues'
Regarding John Yates's rejection of calls to reopen the hacking inquiry in 2009, the report said he had made a "poor decision," for which he had taken responsibility.
"Considering that he has been questioned about his involvement in phone hacking over many hours in six separate Parliamentary sessions, it is difficult to see what further investigation would achieve," Ms Glass said.
It said Peter Clarke, who was responsible for the original investigation, had explained why the huge volume of material seized at the time was not analysed.
It said any inquiry would have to use fairness to judge why this had happened in the circumstances - his team had been dealing with 70 live operations linked to terrorist plots.
Andy Hayman was not responsible for the initial investigation, it said. The report also referred to criticism of his contacts with News International and subsequent employment by the Times.
"While there are serious issues that need to be scrutinised about the extent of contact between senior police officers and the media, and particularly around hospitality, in the absence of any actual evidence of impropriety these are, in my view, for the inquiry to explore," Ms Glass said.