FORMER Lancashire Police chief Sir Paul Stephenson today said he resigned as Metropolitan Police Commissioner to prevent the speculation over his role in the phone-hacking scandal.

Appearing before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Sir Paul said that he was saddened to have to leave but he took the decision to go because they were in "extraordinary times" and there is only a year until the London Olympics.

"We have got a very short period of run-up to the Olympics," Sir Paul, who was born in Bacup, said.

"It seems to me - and it was a very sad decision for me - but in the run-up to the Olympics if there are going to be continuing speculation around the position of the Commissioner and stories continue to distract, then if I was going to do something then I had to do it speedily."

Appearing in full uniform, Sir Paul said he had received the full support of Home Secretary Theresa May and London Mayor Boris Johnson before resigning.

Sir Paul said he realised he would have to go when it emerged that former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis had links to health spa Champneys, where he had received free accommodation and board following an operation to remove a tumour.

He added: "When I became aware that Mr Wallis was in some way connected with Champneys I thought that was a very difficult story.

"I think it was very unfortunate for me. I had no knowledge previously.

"I think that, together with everything else, I thought this is going to be a significant story, and if I am going to be a leader and do the right thing by my organisation I better do something quickly."

Sir Paul denied he had been "impugning" David Cameron in his resignation statement when he suggested his employment of Mr Wallis as a media adviser was less controversial than former News of the World editor Andy Coulson's appointment as Downing street communications chief.

He said: "I cannot control the way the media spin things or interpret things.

"I'm just saying here and now that I made no personal attack on the Prime Minister."

Sir Paul was also asked why he had not disclosed that Mr Wallis worked for the Met as a PR consultant.

He responded: "Why did I not tell the Prime Minister before Wallis' name was connected with phone hacking?

"I would have no reason to. I had no reason to connect Wallis with phone hacking, I had no reason to doubt his impropriety, nothing had come to my attention, I had no knowledge of the previous inquiry and I had no reason to inquire of the previous inquiry."