Security job for former Met chief John Yates

'Yates of the Yard' handed consultant role at G3, firm that advised on Wills and Kate's wedding

The senior policeman at the centre of the News of the World phone hacking investigation is now working on corporate fraud cases for a security company that advised on the Royal Wedding.

John Yates, dubbed "Yates of the Yard", who led Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism unit, was involved in a string of high-profile investigations including the cash-for-honours scandal and the Jeffrey Archer perjury case. He has been hired as a senior consultant for G3, part of the Good Governance Group.

His job will involve working directly for FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 multinationals, as well as the Magic Circle of elite UK law firms, to unravel corporate scandals. G3 has reportedly been investigating the listed coal miner Bumi, which has been the subject of a bitter row between Nat Rothschild, the scion of the banking dynasty, and Indonesia's Bakrie family.

Mr Yates was previously tipped to lead the London Metropolitan Police, but resigned 18 months ago after his early review of phone hacking was shown to have been poorly handled. There were also allegations of being too close to the media, which he denied, arguing that any press relationships had no impact on his work.

G3 gained some notoriety in 2011, when the London and New York-based company was dragged into Liam Fox's resignation as defence secretary. It emerged G3 was one of six parties, which also included private-equity baron Jon Moulton, who had covered the international travel costs of Mr Fox's close friend and self-styled adviser, Adam Werritty.

Mr Yates, who started at G3 earlier this month, told The Independent on Sunday this weekend: "I am delighted to have joined the team at G3. My role will focus on working with the team on major corporate investigations, especially those involving money laundering and fraud."

G3's clients reportedly include British defence giant BAE Systems. The firm's reclusive multi-millionaire chief executive and founder Andre Pienaar is said to have been invited to, as well as help secure, Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton.

Other senior advisers for G3 include the former Liberal Democrat party leader Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon and Lance Browne, the vice-chairman at Standard Chartered Bank in China. G3 has worked across the world, including Iraq, Libya and Iran.

Since leaving the Met, where he was assistant commissioner, Mr Yates has worked with the Bahrain government on reforming its police force.