President of Royal British Legion quits over lobbying claims Sir John allegedly boasted he could speak with David Cameron at next month's Remembrance service when he was a guest of the Royal British Legion. Sir John and former MoD procurement chief Lieutenant General Richard Applegate also allegedly claimed they previously lobbied on deals while they were in their own two-year "purdah" period. Following Sir John's resignation, Chris Simpkins, director general of the Royal British Legion, said: "The Legion's work, including Remembrance events, must be kept free of any suggestion that they could be used for commercial or political gain. Sir John's remarks suggested otherwise. But he said he was satisfied that there had been no breach of the Legion's code of conduct and said Sir John's remarks were "out of character." His successor will be announced shortly. Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, ordered an urgent inquiry in to the claims yesterday. The scandal could result in former generals and military chiefs being banned from contacting ministers and defence officials. The Ministry of Defence is to now write to arms companies warning them against trying to use former senior military staff to lobby for contracts. Mr Hammond warned former chiefs that access to the department could be "shut down" if any abuses are proven. Mr Hammond said he was satisfied no retired officers had influenced military procurement and that some of the individuals caught in the sting may have been "bigging up" their potential influence. Mr Hammond was to hold an emergency meeting with General Sir David Richards, the Chief of the Defence Staff, today to consider how to respond to the scandal. A senior Government source said ministers and MoD officials would write to arms firms warning them that "they are not doing their companies any favours" by attempting to hire ex-generals to lobby for contracts. The Royal British Legion launched its own investigation in to the claims by Sir John, a Falklands war hero, as to whether he abused his position. In his letter of resignation, Sir John wrote: "I have made it clear that I have always kept my role of National President completely separate from any business interests, and never used any access gained as President to raise the subject of, or discuss, any business interests whatsoever, let alone to make representations on behalf of clients. And I have made it equally clear that I have never breached any Government rules related to lobbying. But I made exaggerated and foolish claims to the contrary, incompatible with my position in the Legion. I was due to step down from the role in December, and with my successor already nominated, I believe that it is in the Legion's best interests to bring forward the handover to allow him to take over with immediate effect.