UK's new security adviser to step down

Britain's government says the country's national security adviser has confirmed he's stepping down, less than three months after taking up the newly created role.

Britain's government says the country's national security adviser has confirmed he's stepping down, less than three months after taking up the newly created role.

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Peter Ricketts, previously the country's top diplomat, was appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron's new government to lead the government's security work and set up a new national security council.

Cameron clashed last week with key allies in Pakistan over terrorism, after he questioned Islamabad's commitment to tackling terror groups inside its borders.

Britain's government said the departure of Ricketts was unconnected, and insisted had always intended to serve only as an interim adviser.

Cameron's office says Ricketts would leave his post in 2011.