UK: Anti-terror chief to step down

Britain’s top anti-terror policeman is to retire from the Metropolitan Police just days after it was revealed that he was facing an investigation into his expenses claims, it was announced today.

Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman said the “time was right” to leave the high-profile job, after facing “hurtful” accusations.

He said in a statement: “Recent weeks have seen a series of leaks and unfounded accusations about me, which I have and will continue to refute strongly.”

Last month it emerged that Mr Hayman was facing an investigation into his expenses claims and foreign trips with a woman police sergeant.

The officer had also faced criticism over his actions in the days after the shooting of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes in July 2005.