Britain's top counter-terrorism detective, who led the probe into the 2005 suicide bombings in London and a number of other high-profile alleged security cases, is to retire, his force said Friday.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, the national co-ordinator of terrorist investigations, will leave on January 31 after more than 30 years' service with the Metropolitan Police, the force said in a statement.
His boss - Britain's most senior police officer Commissioner Sir Ian Blair - has accepted his decision reluctantly, Scotland Yard said. "DAC Peter Clarke has performed outstandingly. His contribution to the fight against terrorism has been truly significant," said Blair.
Len Duvall, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority which oversees the day-to-day running of the force, said Clarke had made an "immense contribution to protecting the public and in doing so has undoubtedly saved lives."
As head of Scotland Yard's Counter-Terrorism Command - formed last year by merging the Anti-Terrorist Branch and Special Branch - Clarke has in recent years become the public face of Britain's battle against extremism.