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Senior Met Police staff 'leaked stories' Senior Met Police staff 'leaked stories'
(40 minutes later)
A "very small number" of senior officers gossiped or leaked stories about the Metropolitan Police to the media, its former commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, has said.A "very small number" of senior officers gossiped or leaked stories about the Metropolitan Police to the media, its former commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, has said.
He said these leaks were "deeply unhelpful", "hugely distracting" and caused disharmony among senior staff.He said these leaks were "deeply unhelpful", "hugely distracting" and caused disharmony among senior staff.
Sir Paul, who resigned from the job last year, is giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.Sir Paul, who resigned from the job last year, is giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.
The author of a report on the Met and media's relationship will also speak.The author of a report on the Met and media's relationship will also speak.
In her review, Dame Elizabeth Filkin advised officers to avoid "flirting" and accepting alcohol from journalists.In her review, Dame Elizabeth Filkin advised officers to avoid "flirting" and accepting alcohol from journalists.
The inquiry heard Sir Paul believed contact between some senior colleagues and the written media was "closer than he would have liked".The inquiry heard Sir Paul believed contact between some senior colleagues and the written media was "closer than he would have liked".
He declined to name individuals, but said there were some who gossiped and leaked stories.He declined to name individuals, but said there were some who gossiped and leaked stories.
"I'm referring to a very small number of the management board, who on occasion either gossiped or leaked about stories from within the Met that were deeply unhelpful and added to a continuing dialogue to disharmony within the Met. That was hugely distracting.""I'm referring to a very small number of the management board, who on occasion either gossiped or leaked about stories from within the Met that were deeply unhelpful and added to a continuing dialogue to disharmony within the Met. That was hugely distracting."
The inquiry also heard about a long list of lunches, dinners and drinks Sir Paul had had with newspaper journalists and editors, including all but the Daily Express and the Star.
He said he did not favour particular papers, adding: "I'd say for every journalist I've ever met, they'd be delighted if I were indiscreet; my job was to ensure I wasn't."
Sir Paul resigned from the Met last July amid the phone-hacking scandal.Sir Paul resigned from the Met last July amid the phone-hacking scandal.
He had come under criticism for his links to former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications.He had come under criticism for his links to former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications.
Mr Wallis had also been working as a public relations consultant for Champneys spa when Sir Paul recuperated there, although the Met said Sir Paul had been unaware of this. Mr Wallis had also been working as a public relations consultant for Champneys spa when Sir Paul recuperated there, although the Met said Sir Paul had been unaware of this. A subsequent inquiry cleared Sir Paul of all wrongdoing.
A subsequent inquiry cleared Sir Paul of all wrongdoing. Sir Paul told the Leveson Inquiry he resigned because the story had become about him, and revealed for the first time that ill health also played a part in his decision, as he feared he might not have the resilience to deal with job pressures.
Roger Baker from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary - responsible for the inspection of police forces - will also give evidence.Roger Baker from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary - responsible for the inspection of police forces - will also give evidence.