Met Police assistant commissioner John Yates has said he is issuing libel proceedings against the Evening Standard.
Yates, who earlier this week signalled his intention to resign in the wake of the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, plans to sue over articles published in the Evening Standard on 7 July.
His solicitor Luke Staiano of Carter Ruck said in a statement: ‘The Evening Standard published highly defamatory allegations concerning assistant commissioner Yates which go to the heart of his integrity as a police officer.
‘The allegations are completely false and without foundation. The Evening Standard has refused to apologise or withdraw the allegations, leaving Mr Yates with no alternative but to bring legal proceedings.”
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