Andy Hayman to retire

Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman is to retire citing the personal cost of fulfilling his role chairing the Association of Chief Police Officers Terrorism and Allied Matters (ACPO TAM) committee and head of the Met’s Specialist Operations command.

However, Mr Hayman recently faced criticism over the Stockwell shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and intense speculation over expense claims and foreign trips with a female police sergeant.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission’s Stockwell 2 report alleged he ‘misled’ other officers by not declaring that the person shot by police at Stockwell tube station was an innocent man.

There has also been national media speculation over expense claims using corporate credit cards with Mr Hayman being interviewed by the Audit Commission over £15,000 spent on entertainment and travel abroad with his staff officer, a female sergeant. Mr Hayman denies any wrongdoing in relation to the reports.

A Met statement said: “Following discussions with the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman has decided to retire from the Metropolitan Police Service.”

He has headed the Specialist Operations Directorate, including the Counter Terrorist Command, since February 2005 having previously been Chief Constable of Norfolk Police.

DAC Peter Clarke, the National Counter Terrorism Co-ordinator, has agreed to postpone his retirement to take on the role of temporary Assistant Commissioner with immediate effect.

Mr Hayman said: “It has been a great honour and privilege to lead Specialist Operations in its challenging work protecting this country from the palpable terrorist threat we face.

“This role requires total commitment in both time and effort and has a considerable impact on your personal life, your family and friends. It also puts you in the spotlight, often in ways that are very hurtful. Recent weeks have seen a series of leaks and unfounded accusations about me, which I have and will continue to refute strongly.”

“However, these events take their toll on you personally and I feel now is the right time for me to step aside and for a new person to take over as Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations and Head of the ACPO Terrorism and Allied Matters (TAM) business area. I wish my successor and all my colleagues every success in their continued efforts to defend the United Kingdom.”

MPA Chair Len Duvall said: “Andy Hayman has made enormous strides in building the new national arrangements for counter terrorism, as well as modernising the Specialist Operations Directorate in the Met. He has achieved this during an extremely demanding and difficult period and we all have a lot to thank him for.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, said: “Andy Hayman can be very proud of the achievements and successes during his time in charge of Specialist Operations. In this year alone, 37 people have been convicted in terrorist related cases following investigation by the Met. He has also made a significant contribution to the development of policing and the service during his career. I fully understand his decision to leave at this time and wish him well for the future.”

ACPO President Ken Jones paid tribute to Mr Hayman’s achievements heading the fight against terrorism and to policing in general.

“As head of ACPO’s Terrorism and Allied Matters (TAM) business area Andy’s drive and leadership has resulted in the creation of a national counter-terrorism force that is second to none. We are in no doubt that many people were brought to justice and lives saved through his contribution. We were very sad to hear of his retirement and wish him all the best for the future. He will be missed.

With immediate effect, the ACPO TAM business area will be chaired by AC Peter Clarke of the MPS supported by Chief Constable of GMP, Mike Todd, Sir Paul Scott-Lee, Chief Constable of West Midlands, and Sir Norman B