John Yates
Encyclopedia
John Yates is a former Assistant Commissioner
in the London Metropolitan Police Service
(2006–2011). As leader of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)'s Special Inquiry Squad (often called the "Celebrity Squad"), Yates was dubbed "Yates of the Yard" by the British press following his involvement in a number of cases with high media profiles. Yates came to particular prominence for heading the Cash for Honours investigation. Yates also coordinated the UK police response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, heading "Operation Bracknell", for which he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal
in January 2006. He resigned in July 2011 over criticism of a July 2009 review he carried out of the 2006 police investigation of the News of the World royal phone hacking scandal
.
At the time of his resignation, he was Scotland Yard
's most trusted detective and has led many of its highest profile probes for almost a decade. He also won widespread praise for his tenacious 16-month pursuit of senior Labour politicians implicated in the Cash for Honours scandal and was seen by many as a possible future commissioner. Peter Dominiczak, " Hacking: Yates of the Yard is the latest to quit - Met branded rudderless ship", London Evening Standard, 18 July 2011
, and went on to study at King's College London
(BA Hons Medieval and Modern History, 1981) and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
(Dip. Applied Criminol.)
committee on rape.
As leader of the MPS' Special Inquiry Squad (often called the "Celebrity Squad"), Yates was dubbed "Yates of the Yard" by the British press following his involvement in a number of cases with high media profiles. He headed "the investigation of Lord Archer for perjury, the fraud investigation involving TV game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? and the bringing of rape charges against John Leslie." He also handled the police investigation which led to the failed trial of Paul Burrell
for stealing; the trial collapsed with the Burrell affair
.
Yates was appointed Deputy Assistant Commissioner in January 2004. In this role he was "Director of Serious and Organised Crime in the MPS, with responsibility for homicide, child protection, tackling organised criminal networks, gun crime and covert policing." Yates coordinated the UK police response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, heading "Operation Bracknell", for which he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal
in January 2006. As part of this work, Yates visited the devastated areas, and dealt with diplomats and the bereaved. John Yates was also the Met Police's senior officer who travelled to Brazil
to meet the family of Jean Charles de Menezes
who was shot dead after being mistaken for a terrorist in the immediate aftermath of the London Bombings in July 2005.
on 18 December 2006; he had previously held the position on a temporary basis. A press release issued by the Metropolitan Police Authority stated that Yates will be a member of the MPS management board: "John Yates will help formulate the strategic direction of the largest police service in the country and will manage a major business area."
In March 2009 it was reported that Yates had been assigned to investigate allegations of torture made against UK anti-terrorism officials and on 9 April 2009, it was announced that he would replace Bob Quick
as head of Specialist Operations
.
ages were awarded in return for loans, and it was a member of his team who interviewed the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair
in December 2006. Yates's team handed its main file on the cash for peerages inquiry to the Crown Prosecution Service
on Friday 20 April 2007. On 20 July 2007, the CPS announced that no charges would be brought as a result of the investigation, due to the lack of direct evidence of an agreement that would have violated the law forbidding the sale of honours.
, which had led to the imprisonment of two men in January 2007. In light of the new allegations in The Guardian
, in July 2009 the Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson
asked Assistant Commissioner Yates to review the original investigation for new evidence. In one 8 hour meeting, Yates reviewed the investigation, but did not take any further action. In a later public statement, and in a July 2009 appearance at the Home Affairs Select Committee
, he announced of the initial investigation that he "found it to be satisfactory." Yates then passed his findings back to the Commissioner, and in agreement with lawyers and the head of the Crown Prosecution Service Keir Starmer
, agreed that no further action need be taken, and the case was not reopened.
In 2011, dramatic developments in the scandal led to the closure of the News of the World
newspaper, Yates faced allegations of wrongdoing, including from MP Chris Bryant
, who called for his resignation saying "a very dirty smell" surrounded the Police's conduct in the matter. The main accusations relate to having misled Parliament, having repeatedly reported that there was evidence of only around 10–12 cases, whereas it later emerged that police had evidence of "a vast number" of victims. John Yates later said that he was of the belief that he should refer only to cases where voicemail messages had been shown to have been intercepted prior to them being heard by the intended recipient. He also claimed to have ensured that four major mobile phone companies had informed around 120 people that their messages had been hacked – a claim disputed by the companies involved, two of which wrote to Scotland Yard
stating that this was incorrect. On 9 July 2009, Yates issued a statement.
Other criticisms related to failures to inform individuals that there was evidence their phone had been hacked, the perceived lack of thoroughness of the investigation, and failure to take adequate action against officers who were known to have illegally accepted bribes.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph published on 9 July 2011, Yates expressed "extreme regret" for the failings in the initial phone hacking inquiry, but dismissed any suggestion of corruption or improper relationships on his part. On 18 July 2011, Yates announced his resignation from the Metropolitan Police. The Met said of his resignation: "Assistant Commissioner John Yates has this afternoon indicated his intention to resign to the chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority
. His resignation was accepted."
Assistant Commissioner
Assistant commissioner is a rank used in many police forces across the globe. It is also a rank used in revenue administrations in many countries.-Australia:...
in the London Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
(2006–2011). As leader of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)'s Special Inquiry Squad (often called the "Celebrity Squad"), Yates was dubbed "Yates of the Yard" by the British press following his involvement in a number of cases with high media profiles. Yates came to particular prominence for heading the Cash for Honours investigation. Yates also coordinated the UK police response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, heading "Operation Bracknell", for which he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
in January 2006. He resigned in July 2011 over criticism of a July 2009 review he carried out of the 2006 police investigation of the News of the World royal phone hacking scandal
News of the World royal phone hacking scandal
The News of the World royal phone hacking scandal was a scandal which developed in 2005 - 2007 around the interception of voice mail relating to the British Royal Family by a private investigator working for a News of the World journalist...
.
At the time of his resignation, he was Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard is a metonym for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. It derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. The Scotland Yard entrance became...
's most trusted detective and has led many of its highest profile probes for almost a decade. He also won widespread praise for his tenacious 16-month pursuit of senior Labour politicians implicated in the Cash for Honours scandal and was seen by many as a possible future commissioner. Peter Dominiczak, " Hacking: Yates of the Yard is the latest to quit - Met branded rudderless ship", London Evening Standard, 18 July 2011
Background
Yates was born in Liverpool "to a family of doctors". Yates was educated at Marlborough CollegeMarlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
, and went on to study at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
(BA Hons Medieval and Modern History, 1981) and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Fitzwilliam College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge in England.The college traces its origins back to 1869 and the foundation of the Non-Collegiate Students Board, a venture intended to offer students from less financially privileged backgrounds a chance to study...
(Dip. Applied Criminol.)
Career
Yates joined the Metropolitan Police in 1981. He served as a senior detective in North and West London, and was the senior investigating officer on over 20 murders. He led 'Operation Russia', a corruption inquiry of a regional crime squad in East Dulwich, which led to the imprisonment of six serving detectives for sentences totalling 46 years. He has served on the Association of Chief Police OfficersAssociation of Chief Police Officers
The Association of Chief Police Officers , established in 1948, is a private limited company that leads the development of policing practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.ACPO provides a forum for chief police officers to share ideas and coordinates the strategic...
committee on rape.
As leader of the MPS' Special Inquiry Squad (often called the "Celebrity Squad"), Yates was dubbed "Yates of the Yard" by the British press following his involvement in a number of cases with high media profiles. He headed "the investigation of Lord Archer for perjury, the fraud investigation involving TV game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? and the bringing of rape charges against John Leslie." He also handled the police investigation which led to the failed trial of Paul Burrell
Paul Burrell
Paul Burrell, RVM is a former servant of the British Royal Household. He was a footman for Queen Elizabeth II and later butler to Diana, Princess of Wales...
for stealing; the trial collapsed with the Burrell affair
Burrell affair
The Burrell affair was a scandal in 2002 which arose from a number of allegations about the behaviour of the British Royal Family and their servants...
.
Yates was appointed Deputy Assistant Commissioner in January 2004. In this role he was "Director of Serious and Organised Crime in the MPS, with responsibility for homicide, child protection, tackling organised criminal networks, gun crime and covert policing." Yates coordinated the UK police response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, heading "Operation Bracknell", for which he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
in January 2006. As part of this work, Yates visited the devastated areas, and dealt with diplomats and the bereaved. John Yates was also the Met Police's senior officer who travelled to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
to meet the family of Jean Charles de Menezes
Jean Charles de Menezes
Jean Charles de Menezes was a Brazilian man shot in the head seven times at Stockwell tube station on the London Underground by the London Metropolitan police, after he was misidentified as one of the fugitives involved in the previous day's failed bombing attempts...
who was shot dead after being mistaken for a terrorist in the immediate aftermath of the London Bombings in July 2005.
Assistant Commissioner (2006–2011)
Yates' promotion to Assistant Commissioner was confirmed by the Metropolitan Police AuthorityMetropolitan Police Authority
The Metropolitan Police Authority is the police authority responsible for supervising the Metropolitan Police Service, the police force for Greater London ....
on 18 December 2006; he had previously held the position on a temporary basis. A press release issued by the Metropolitan Police Authority stated that Yates will be a member of the MPS management board: "John Yates will help formulate the strategic direction of the largest police service in the country and will manage a major business area."
In March 2009 it was reported that Yates had been assigned to investigate allegations of torture made against UK anti-terrorism officials and on 9 April 2009, it was announced that he would replace Bob Quick
Bob Quick (police officer)
Robert Quick, QPM is a former Assistant Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Service responsible for counter terrorism within the United Kingdom.-Police career:Quick joined the police service in 1978, first serving in Lambeth....
as head of Specialist Operations
Specialist Operations
Specialist Operations is a directorate of the Metropolitan Police. At its peak, SO was a group of twenty specialist units, which were formed to give the Metropolitan Police a specialist policing capability. The SO designation was implemented in 1986 as part of Sir Kenneth Newman's restructuring of...
.
Cash for peerages inquiry
As Deputy Assistant Commissioner, then acting Assistant Commissioner, Yates headed the team of detectives investigating the allegations that life peerLife peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
ages were awarded in return for loans, and it was a member of his team who interviewed the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
in December 2006. Yates's team handed its main file on the cash for peerages inquiry to the Crown Prosecution Service
Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service, or CPS, is a non-ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in England and Wales. Its role is similar to that of the longer-established Crown Office in Scotland, and the...
on Friday 20 April 2007. On 20 July 2007, the CPS announced that no charges would be brought as a result of the investigation, due to the lack of direct evidence of an agreement that would have violated the law forbidding the sale of honours.
Phone hacking scandal
In mid-2009 Yates conducted a review of the 2006 Police inquiry into the News of the World royal phone hacking scandalNews of the World royal phone hacking scandal
The News of the World royal phone hacking scandal was a scandal which developed in 2005 - 2007 around the interception of voice mail relating to the British Royal Family by a private investigator working for a News of the World journalist...
, which had led to the imprisonment of two men in January 2007. In light of the new allegations in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, in July 2009 the Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson
Paul Stephenson (police officer)
Sir Paul Robert Stephenson, QPM was the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, 2009-2011, the most senior police officer within the United Kingdom....
asked Assistant Commissioner Yates to review the original investigation for new evidence. In one 8 hour meeting, Yates reviewed the investigation, but did not take any further action. In a later public statement, and in a July 2009 appearance at the Home Affairs Select Committee
Home Affairs Select Committee
The Home Affairs Select Committee is a Committee of the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-Remit:The Home Affairs Committee is one of the House of Commons Select Committees related to government departments: its terms of reference are to examine "the expenditure,...
, he announced of the initial investigation that he "found it to be satisfactory." Yates then passed his findings back to the Commissioner, and in agreement with lawyers and the head of the Crown Prosecution Service Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer, QC, is a barrister in England and Wales. He became the fourteenth Director of Public Prosecutions and the sixth head of the Crown Prosecution Service on 1 November 2008...
, agreed that no further action need be taken, and the case was not reopened.
In 2011, dramatic developments in the scandal led to the closure of the News of the World
News of the World
The News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations...
newspaper, Yates faced allegations of wrongdoing, including from MP Chris Bryant
Chris Bryant
Christopher John Bryant is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Rhondda since 2001...
, who called for his resignation saying "a very dirty smell" surrounded the Police's conduct in the matter. The main accusations relate to having misled Parliament, having repeatedly reported that there was evidence of only around 10–12 cases, whereas it later emerged that police had evidence of "a vast number" of victims. John Yates later said that he was of the belief that he should refer only to cases where voicemail messages had been shown to have been intercepted prior to them being heard by the intended recipient. He also claimed to have ensured that four major mobile phone companies had informed around 120 people that their messages had been hacked – a claim disputed by the companies involved, two of which wrote to Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard is a metonym for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. It derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. The Scotland Yard entrance became...
stating that this was incorrect. On 9 July 2009, Yates issued a statement.
Other criticisms related to failures to inform individuals that there was evidence their phone had been hacked, the perceived lack of thoroughness of the investigation, and failure to take adequate action against officers who were known to have illegally accepted bribes.
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph published on 9 July 2011, Yates expressed "extreme regret" for the failings in the initial phone hacking inquiry, but dismissed any suggestion of corruption or improper relationships on his part. On 18 July 2011, Yates announced his resignation from the Metropolitan Police. The Met said of his resignation: "Assistant Commissioner John Yates has this afternoon indicated his intention to resign to the chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority
Metropolitan Police Authority
The Metropolitan Police Authority is the police authority responsible for supervising the Metropolitan Police Service, the police force for Greater London ....
. His resignation was accepted."