Sir John Stevens today announced his impending retirement from his post as Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
Sir John, who has led the investigation into collusion between Northern Ireland security forces and loyalist paramilitary groups, told the Metropolitan Police Authority he will step down when his five-year contract ends on January 31st.
But he said that he will continue to head the investigation into collusion in Northern Ireland. "I think it would be very wrong for anybody to take on that responsibility now," he said.
The interim report of the investigation, which took 14 years to compile, found that secret co-operation by the RUC Special Branch and British military intelligence included a wilful failure to keep records to the absence of accountability, the withholding of intelligence and evidence, and agents being involved in murder.
Sir John reported that during the three inquiries he had experienced a culture of obstruction throughout the British army and the RUC in Northern Ireland
He concluded that there had been collusion in the murders of Pat Finucane and Brian Adam Lambert and that their deaths could have been prevented.
Sir John also said that he will continue leading the inquiry into the death of Princess Diana.
Sir John's deputy, Sir Ian Blair, is widely tipped to succeed him
Additional reporting by PA