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Leveson Inquiry: Press terror briefings 'required' Leveson Inquiry: Press terror briefings 'required'
(40 minutes later)
Informal media lunches were an "operational requirement" to balance debate over the UK's terror threat, a former Scotland Yard chief has said.Informal media lunches were an "operational requirement" to balance debate over the UK's terror threat, a former Scotland Yard chief has said.
Ex-anti-terror head Peter Clarke told the Leveson media ethics inquiry the press had been sceptical of the threat.Ex-anti-terror head Peter Clarke told the Leveson media ethics inquiry the press had been sceptical of the threat.
Briefings favoured no news outlets and were used to explain strategy, he said.Briefings favoured no news outlets and were used to explain strategy, he said.
Mr Clarke also said he halted an investigation into newspaper phone hacking because anti-terror operations were putting pressure on resources.Mr Clarke also said he halted an investigation into newspaper phone hacking because anti-terror operations were putting pressure on resources.
Contrasting the hacking inquiry with counter-terrorism, he said: "Invasions of privacy are odious and at times they are illegal but - to put it bluntly - they don't kill you. Terrorists do."Contrasting the hacking inquiry with counter-terrorism, he said: "Invasions of privacy are odious and at times they are illegal but - to put it bluntly - they don't kill you. Terrorists do."
Mr Clarke is the first of three senior officers criticised for their handling of the News of the World (NoW) phone-hacking scandal to appear before Thursday's hearing.Mr Clarke is the first of three senior officers criticised for their handling of the News of the World (NoW) phone-hacking scandal to appear before Thursday's hearing.
'Totally disinterested''Totally disinterested'
The inquiry is currently examining the relationship between the press and police, with former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioners Andy Hayman and John Yates due to give evidence later.The inquiry is currently examining the relationship between the press and police, with former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioners Andy Hayman and John Yates due to give evidence later.
The force was criticised over its links to News International and its journalists in the wake of the hacking scandal.The force was criticised over its links to News International and its journalists in the wake of the hacking scandal.
Asked about a briefing attended by the group's owner Rupert Murdoch, Mr Clarke said the mogul had turned up unexpectedly. The former officer said he was "totally disinterested" between media groups.Asked about a briefing attended by the group's owner Rupert Murdoch, Mr Clarke said the mogul had turned up unexpectedly. The former officer said he was "totally disinterested" between media groups.
Briefings had been conducted amid accusations of the terrorist threat being exaggerated to support UK foreign policy and at a time when large numbers of people were being arrested without being brought to trial, Mr Clarke said.Briefings had been conducted amid accusations of the terrorist threat being exaggerated to support UK foreign policy and at a time when large numbers of people were being arrested without being brought to trial, Mr Clarke said.
"The purpose was not to make the police look good but to try to balance the public discussion so that communities could have confidence in the objectivity and integrity of what we were doing," he said."The purpose was not to make the police look good but to try to balance the public discussion so that communities could have confidence in the objectivity and integrity of what we were doing," he said.
Mr Clarke was involved in the hacking inquiry as a result of his role in protecting the Royal Family.Mr Clarke was involved in the hacking inquiry as a result of his role in protecting the Royal Family.
'Closing ranks''Closing ranks'
That investigation resulted in the jailing of NoW royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in January 2007, after they admitted intercepting voicemail messages left on royal aides' phones.That investigation resulted in the jailing of NoW royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in January 2007, after they admitted intercepting voicemail messages left on royal aides' phones.
However, the Met was heavily criticised for limiting the scope of the investigation despite evidence from Mulcaire's notebooks suggesting there could be thousands of hacking victims.However, the Met was heavily criticised for limiting the scope of the investigation despite evidence from Mulcaire's notebooks suggesting there could be thousands of hacking victims.
Mr Clarke said a "closing of the ranks" had quickly made it apparent there would be little co-operation from News International.Mr Clarke said a "closing of the ranks" had quickly made it apparent there would be little co-operation from News International.
At the time, he said, phone-hacking was "not anywhere near the top of our concerns" given his unit was dealing with more than 70 operations into terrorist threats, including plots to blow up aircraft.At the time, he said, phone-hacking was "not anywhere near the top of our concerns" given his unit was dealing with more than 70 operations into terrorist threats, including plots to blow up aircraft.
Mr Hayman, who led the original hacking investigation in 2006, was due to give evidence after Mr Clarke. Since leaving his post, Mr Yates has expressed "extreme regret" for ruling out reopening the phone-hacking investigation in 2009.
Last July, Mr Hayman was criticised by MPs for having dinners with News International journalists while inquiries were ongoing, with one MP suggesting he would have appeared a "dodgy geezer". He has given evidence via video link from Bahrain, where he is overseeing reform of the police force.
'Extreme regret''Extreme regret'
Mr Yates was questioned about a compilation of his diary entries involving contact with the media.
He was asked about attending football matches with ex-News of the World executive editor Neil Wallis on two or three occasions.
The former policeman, who said he had been close to Mr Wallis, told the inquiry they did not have any improper conversations related to work when watching football because they had interests away from policing and newspapers.
Former counter-terror chief Mr Yates resigned in July amid pressure over alleged links to a former executive at the now-defunct NoW.Former counter-terror chief Mr Yates resigned in July amid pressure over alleged links to a former executive at the now-defunct NoW.
Mr Hayman, who led the original hacking investigation in 2006, was due to give evidence later.
Last July, Mr Hayman was criticised by MPs for having dinners with News International journalists while inquiries were ongoing, with one MP suggesting he would have appeared a "dodgy geezer".
Leaked evidence warning
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has cleared all three of misconduct over their roles in the original investigation.The Independent Police Complaints Commission has cleared all three of misconduct over their roles in the original investigation.
The watchdog also cleared Mr Yates of misconduct over claims that he secured a job for the daughter of Neil Wallis, a former NoW deputy editor.The watchdog also cleared Mr Yates of misconduct over claims that he secured a job for the daughter of Neil Wallis, a former NoW deputy editor.
Since leaving his post, Mr Yates has expressed "extreme regret" for ruling out reopening the phone-hacking investigation in 2009.
He is expected to give evidence via video link from Bahrain, where he is overseeing reform of the police force.
Leaked evidence warning
Meanwhile, Lord Justice Leveson has criticised leaks from his inquiry, including the recent revelation that Scotland Yard loaned a horse to former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks.Meanwhile, Lord Justice Leveson has criticised leaks from his inquiry, including the recent revelation that Scotland Yard loaned a horse to former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks.
The Metropolitan Police informed the Leveson inquiry on 14 February she "fostered" a retired police horse called Raisa between 2008 and 2010.The Metropolitan Police informed the Leveson inquiry on 14 February she "fostered" a retired police horse called Raisa between 2008 and 2010.
Details of the loan were revealed in the Evening Standard newspaper on Tuesday.Details of the loan were revealed in the Evening Standard newspaper on Tuesday.
Lord Justice Leveson has warned that he could restrict the advance release of witness statements to core participants - people who have a significant interest in the hearings or may face criticism - if such leaks continue.Lord Justice Leveson has warned that he could restrict the advance release of witness statements to core participants - people who have a significant interest in the hearings or may face criticism - if such leaks continue.