Top terror police chief steps down

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Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman said "hurtful" accusations in recent weeks had taken their toll, and he felt the time was right to step down.

Mr Hayman had also faced a series of criticisms over his actions in the days after the shooting of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes in July 2005.

A spokesman for Mr de Menezes' family was "disappointed" that Mr Hayman was now retiring on a full pension with no disciplinary action having been taken against him.

The unexpected departure has forced Mr Hayman's deputy to postpone his own retirement - announced in September - and take up the top anti-terror job until a replacement is found.

Scotland Yard provided no further explanation of the reasons for Mr Hayman's retirement.

Last month it emerged that he was facing an investigation into at least £15,000 of expenses claims over three years, which included bills for drinking with colleagues.

The total also covered foreign trips with a woman police sergeant who served as Mr Hayman's staff officer.

Results of the inquiry are to be considered by the Metropolitan Police Authority's (MPA) professional standards sub-committee.

Former Chief Constable of Norfolk Mr Hayman, 48, is one of only five Assistant Commissioners in the Met and a close ally of Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. His departure will be a blow for Sir Ian, who last month survived a vote of no confidence at the MPA and had been under pressure to resign over the de Menezes affair.