Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police resigns

LONDON, England (CNN) - Ian Blair resigned Thursday as commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, leaving a department plagued by allegations of incompetence and racism.

Blair, 55, resigned in a speech broadcast live on British television, saying his departure comes "not because of failure or pressures. I am resigning in the best interests of the people of London and the Metropolitan Police Service."

Blair will officially step down on December 1, and his deputy, Paul Stephenson, will become acting commissioner until a new commissioner is appointed, Met police said.