The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has resigned, saying he carried "ultimate responsibility" for the questions the police faced over their links to the phone hacking scandal.
He had faced criticism for his links with former News of the World journalist turned PR consultant Neil Wallis. Wallis was hired by the police after he left News International. Sir Paul enjoyed a five week stay worth £12,000 at a luxury health farm for which Wallis was the public relations man earlier in the year, as he recovered from an illness.
In a statement he said he wanted to put the record "straight".
"I met Mr Wallis in 2006. The purpose of that meeting was, as with other journalists, to represent the context of policing and to better inform the public debate carried out through the media on policing issues.
"I had no knowledge of, or involvement in, the original investigation into phone hacking in 2006 that successfully led to the conviction and imprisonment of two men. I had no reason to believe this was anything other than a successful investigation. I was unaware that there were any other documents in our possession of the nature that have now emerged.
"I have acknowledged the statement by John Yates that if he had known then what he knows now he would have made different decisions.
"My relationship with Mr Wallis continued over the following years and the frequency of our meetings is a matter of public record. The record clearly accords with my description of the relationship as one maintained for professional purposes and an acquaintance.
"In 2009 the Met entered into a contractual arrangement with Neil Wallis, terminating in 2010. I played no role in the letting or management of that contract.
"I have heard suggestions that we must have suspected the alleged involvement of Mr Wallis in phone hacking. Let me say unequivocally that I did not and had no reason to have done so. I do not occupy a position in the world of journalism; I had no knowledge of the extent of this disgraceful practice and the repugnant nature of the selection of victims that is now emerging; nor of its apparent reach into senior levels. I saw senior figures from News International providing evidence that the misbehaviour was confined to a rogue few and not known about at the top."
Sir Paul said: "I may wish we had have done some things differently but I'll not lose any sleep over my personal integrity."
London mayor Boris Johnson paid tribute to Sir Paul, saying he had brought crime down and deserved a "vote of thanks" from Londoners.
He told Sky News "He thought it would be fairer and better for London and for policing in London if someone else was allowed to get their feet under the desk without those kind of distractions."