Yates has his say as new allegations against him emerge

John Yates has spoken and those expecting a grovelling apology were met with dignified defiance. Where Sir Paul Stephenson threw dainty little parcels of mud at the government, Yates struck an earnest tone that was quite without contrition or malice.

He admitted to “great personal frustration” that his part in the 2009 phone hacking scandal was still subject to debate and for this he blamed the press. “There has been much ill-informed and downright malicious gossip about me,” he said. “I have acted with complete integrity and my conscience is clear.” And he claimed that his actions would be examined in a calmer environment that that which prevails at present.

He went on to cast the media as irresponsible and lacking perspective in terms of the national interest. He said that he could not continue as Britain’s most senior anti-terrorism officer in such an environment, especially as London and Metropolitan Police nears its “greatest test”: the 2012 Olympics. Time and three public inquiries (one of which is judicial) will prove Yates’ case one way or another.

UPDATE: The IPCC has received a complaint about John Yates allegedly securing a job for Neil Wallis’ daughter; it may or may not choose to investigate. Alternatively, the allegation might fall under the remit of one of the inquiries that have already been called.