British PM leaves hacking row behind in S Africa
JOHANNESBURG: British Prime Minister David Cameron flew into South Africa on Monday for a trade visit, as the phone hacking scandal at home exploded with the resignation of the country's top policeman.
Cameron was told about the resignation of Paul Stephenson, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, just over an hour after taking off from London on Sunday for a two-day trip to South Africa and Nigeria, aides said. Stephenson quit amid pressure over his ties to the scandal-hit News of the World, but he issued a parting shot at the prime minister over his decision to employ a former editor of the tabloid, Andy Coulson, as his media chief.
Downing Street aides admitted they had been caught off guard by Stephenson's resignation, but insisted it was right for Cameron to continue with his trip, which involves a high-level business delegation.
He has already shortened the visit, his first to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office in May 2010, because of the phone hacking crisis. It was due to last five days and take in the new state of South Sudan as well as Rwanda.
"A big part of (his job) is boosting the British economy and making trade links, and that's the purpose of this trip. The prime minister needs to continue doing that," a spokesman told reporters travelling with Cameron.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011
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