Yates goes as Boris stands by

Yates of the Yard has gone as the phone hacking scandal claims yet another scalp. Yates walked after being told he would be suspended.

Yates’ departure was necessary given the appalling mistake of hiring Neil Wallis, a former editor at the News of the World, while the Met was investigating — or supposed to be investigating — phone hacking at the paper.

There will, though, be particular pleasure in Blairite circles at Yates’ departure. They remain furious with Yates for his behaviour and tactics during the cash for honours investigation.

The talk is of appointing a new Met Commissioner by the autumn. But given that Bernard Hogan-Howe was a finalist for the job last time and is the outstanding candidate, one wonders if the Home Secretary, the Mayor and the Metropolitan Police Authority will not want to move faster than that. 

One other development worth noting is Boris Johnson’s remarkably lukewarm language when asked why if Paul Stephenson had resigned, David Cameron hadn’t gone too. Rather than defending his fellow Tory, he merely remarked that he wasn’t at the press conference to talk about government appointments.

According to James Kirkup, Boris said:

‘I’m not here to discuss government appointments. Those questions you must address to government. I don’t think there’s a very clear read across” [from Sir Paul Stephenson hiring Neil Wallis to Mr Cameron hiring Andy Coulson]. This is a matter you must address to No 10 Downing Street.’