Britain's most senior anti-terrorist officer resigned from the Metropolitan Police yesterday with an angry blast at “unfounded accusations” that had abruptly ended his 30-year career.

Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman has been dogged by the threat of disciplinary action over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, allegations that he was cavalier with his expenses and a growing rift with Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

He is believed to have tendered his resignation to Sir Ian shortly after receiving a series of written questions from Channel 4 News, asking about alleged improper contact with a female member of staff at the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Channel 4 said that Mr Hayman did not reply to its questions before his resignation was announced.

Mr Hayman, 48, is understood to be furious at the drip feed of allegations against him and concerned that his family and colleagues he respected were being hurt. “He feels that enough is enough,” a friend said.

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The resignation of Andy Hayman leaves Britain’s anti-terrorist policing operation in crisis

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In a statement issued by Scotland Yard, Mr Hayman said: “This role requires total commitment and has a considerable impact on your personal life. It also puts you in the spotlight, often in ways that are hurtful. Recent weeks have seen a series of leaks and unfounded accusations about me, which I have and will continue to refute strongly.” He told the Daily Mirror that he believed someone had been spreading smear stories for political purposes. He added: “There has been a lot of baying for blood since Stockwell.”

Mr Hayman was immediately replaced as Scotland Yard’s head of Special Operations by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, who is postponing his planned retirement from Counter-Terrorism Command. Mr Clarke will also succeed Mr Hayman as head of terrorism at the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Mr Hayman’s sudden departure at a time when MI5 says there are at least 2,000 Islamist extremists active in Britain reflects something of the political turmoil at the top of Scotland Yard.

He had been appointed by Sir Ian in early 2005, giving up his job as Chief Constable of Norfolk, and impressed ministers with his handling of the July 7 and July 21 emergencies. But in recent months the relationship between Mr Hayman and Sir Ian has been strained.The IPCC reported this year that Mr Hayman had briefed reporters about the mistake in shooting Mr de Menezes at Stockwell Tube station on July 22, 2005, but had failed to tell Sir Ian. It recommended disciplinary action against Mr Hayman and is known to be close to making a final decision about whether to continue with that process. The new allegations put to him by Channel 4 claimed there had been a high level of contact — about 400 calls and text messages — to a former member of his staff who was employed at the IPCC at the time that it was finalising the Stockwell 2 report. The IPCC said that the contact was not work-related.

Members of the Metropolitan Police Authority professional standards committee also planned next week to discuss Mr Hayman’s expenses, which had been referred to them by auditors because they were significantly higher than those of other senior officers.Mr Hayman had claimed about £15,000 over three years, including restaurant bills of £326.25 and £387.06. He is said to have been angered by leaks to the media about the auditors’ inquiry which contained insinuations about his female staff officer.

Mr Hayman is a former head of the Met’s anti-corruption unit and sources said that there was no suggestion of wrongdoing. One said, however, that his spending may have been “a bit foolish”. Channel 4 has also asked Mr Hayman about the cost of refurbishing the offices of the terrorism staff at the Association of Chief Police Officers. Acpo said yesterday that the work carried out included installing an operations room and was of a “specific and highly specialist nature”.

Mr Hayman relinquished his roles at Acpo and Scotland Yard immediately on handing in his resignation. He is officially on leave until early in the new year. By then he will have completed his 30 years’ service and be entitled to a full police pension.

Mr Hayman said he had been privileged “to lead Specialist Operations in its challenging work protecting this country from the palpable terrorist threat we face”.

Sir Ian 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.”

An IPCC spokesman said: “That \ member of staff, who was not an investigator, had no involvement or contact with the IPCC’s two Stockwell inquiries. We have satisfied ourselves as far as we can that there was no improper sharing of information. It appears that the calls were not work-related.” The female staff member worked for the IPCC between January 2006 and March 2007 and now works for Acpo.

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