Sir Paul defends free stay at spa

Sir Paul Stephenson yesterday defended the spa visit that led to his resignation. He quit as Met Commissioner after it emerged that he had accepted a free stay at Champney's while it was being promoted by former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis – who was also hired by the Met as a PR consultant.

Sir Paul said he had not known of Mr Wallis's role and had visited because he had felt under pressure to return to work after surgery on a tumour.