Police chief Yates launches libel action in UK

A police chief forced to resign over the phone hacking scandal has launched a libel action against the Evening Standard.

John Yates, Scotland Yard’s former assistant commissioner, issued High Court proceedings today over the London paper’s coverage of his conduct in the News of the World police probe.

Luke Staiano, Mr Yates’ solicitor, said the claim relates to reports on July 7.

Mr Yates resigned on Monday as the Metropolitan Police Authority suspended him and referred claims around his relationship with hacking suspect Neil Wallis to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Mr Yates told MPs the next day that “my integrity is intact and my conscience is clear”.