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Leveson inquiry: Dick Fedorcio, Sara Cheesley - live Leveson inquiry: Dick Fedorcio, Sara Cheesley - live
(40 minutes later)
12.03pm: Josh Halliday is watching the Commons home affairs committee hearing on private investigators. He tweets:
Charlotte Harris, solicitor for a number of alleged phone #hacking victims, now telling MPs about being put under surveillance by PIs
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) March 13, 2012
and
Charlotte Harris on surveillance: "We had stumbled across a ream of activity that News International didn't want to come out"
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) March 13, 2012
11.53am: Fedorcio is asked about former News International staff who were hired to work in the Met press office.
Fedorcio witness statement says 12 DPA staff have previously worked for Rupert Murdoch-owned organisations.
Fedorcio denies there was an bias towards hiring ex-Murdoch journalists.
Of those identified as News International, three had worked for the News of the World. However, none were staff – one had worked on freelance shift between 1988 and 1989; another had a four-month contract with the paper in 1885; and the third did some freelance shifts in 2004. He says no one who worked for the News of the World has been employed since 2004.
Fedorcio said of the remainder, four worked for Sky News; one for the London Paper; two for the Sun; and one had one week's work on the Times.
He says there were others in the office who had worked for other media organisations: five had worked for the BBC; three for the Evening Standard; three from the "Guardian group"; two from the Daily Mail; one from the People; and so on.
11.52am: Fedorcio says there is an "awareness" of press contacts among senior DPA staff that prevents unequal access to police information.
11.51am: Fedorcio says he can only recall one occasion in his 14 years when a trusted journalist ceased to be a trusted agent.
11.49am: Fadorcio is asked about the DPA's Solcara database, which included statements to the press. He says off-the-record statements were not logged.
11.47am: Fedorcio says there would be a "small number" of journalists on police raids on suspects' homes so it would not interrupt operations.
11.45am: Fedorcio says he is not aware of any incidents of officers or journalists acting inappropriately during his career.
Questioned by Jay, he denies there werre any risks.
11.44am: Sean O'Neill of the Times has just tweeted:
Fedorcio statement: I allowed NotW reporter to file a story from my office at Yard #leveson
— Sean O'Neill (@TimesCrime) March 13, 2012
11.42am: Fedorcio says both journalists and the police need to be aware of appropriate behaviour when socialising.
He is asked about the "desirability" of socialising over a meal with alcohol.
"Potentially there are dangers, it could be perceived as an opportunity for inappropriate passing of information," he says.
11.39am: The inquiry has resumed and Fedorcio is asked if he encouraged senior officers having meals with the press.
He says lunchtimes or evenings were convenient for meeting crime reporters as they were often in court during the rest of the day.
11.38am: The Hacked off campaign has just tweeted:
Fedorcio statement: Aware Yates and Wallis knew each other but did not understand them to have significant contact outside of work. #Leveson
— Hacked off (@hackinginquiry) March 13, 2012
11.31am: The inquiry is now taking a short break.
11.30am: Jay says one section of the press seems to have been rated "very low" – Northern & Shell, the publisher of the Daily Express, Sunday Express and the Daily Star.
Fedorcio says the Express editor said he was happy to have the crime correspondent Jon Twomey be the Met's main contact and didn't need to meet with him.
11.29am: Jay asks about the perception that News International had favoured status within Scotland Yard. He asks what procedures are in place to ensure "equality of treatment" across all news organisations.
Fedorcio says he doesn't think there was ever a case where they turned an interview down because of where they were.
He concedes he did not operate to a written record of how evenly the Yard deals with the various sections of the press but says he believes there is now.
11.27am: Fedorcio says it is not possible to handle every media inquiry as some journalists will go direct to officers which "we may or may not be aware of".11.27am: Fedorcio says it is not possible to handle every media inquiry as some journalists will go direct to officers which "we may or may not be aware of".
11.26am: Fedorcio's witness statement has now been published on the Leveson inquiry website.11.26am: Fedorcio's witness statement has now been published on the Leveson inquiry website.
11.22am: Fedorcio says he had more regular contact with the tabloids than the broadsheets because of "the nature of their business, not ours". They were very interested in the detail of operations.11.22am: Fedorcio says he had more regular contact with the tabloids than the broadsheets because of "the nature of their business, not ours". They were very interested in the detail of operations.
11.20am: Former Sun and News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks is one of those arrested this morning by Operation Weeting detectives, Vikram Dodd and Josh Halliday report:11.20am: Former Sun and News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks is one of those arrested this morning by Operation Weeting detectives, Vikram Dodd and Josh Halliday report:
Rebekah Brooks is among six people arrested by Scotland Yard detectives on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, as part of the investigation into phone hacking.Rebekah Brooks is among six people arrested by Scotland Yard detectives on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, as part of the investigation into phone hacking.
The former News International chief executive was arrested at her home in Oxfordshire by detectives from Operation Weeting. Sources also said that her husband, race course trainer Charlie Brooks, was also arrested.The former News International chief executive was arrested at her home in Oxfordshire by detectives from Operation Weeting. Sources also said that her husband, race course trainer Charlie Brooks, was also arrested.
The Metropolitan police refused to confirm the names of those arrested, but said that a 43-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man had been held. News International and the lawyer for Brooks declined to comment on the reports.The Metropolitan police refused to confirm the names of those arrested, but said that a 43-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man had been held. News International and the lawyer for Brooks declined to comment on the reports.
You can read the full story here.You can read the full story here.
11.19am: Fedorcio denies he is a "spin doctor".11.19am: Fedorcio denies he is a "spin doctor".
11.19am: Fedorcio says there is a "lack of information" being put into the public domain and his job was to change that to help public understanding of what the Met was doing.11.19am: Fedorcio says there is a "lack of information" being put into the public domain and his job was to change that to help public understanding of what the Met was doing.
He cites crime statistics as one of these issues.He cites crime statistics as one of these issues.
11.16am: Robert Jay, counsel for the inquiry, is asking whether working practices were different under different commissioners: Sir Peter Imbert, Lord Condon, Lord Stevens, Lord Blair, Sir Paul Stephenson and Bernard Hogan Howe.11.16am: Robert Jay, counsel for the inquiry, is asking whether working practices were different under different commissioners: Sir Peter Imbert, Lord Condon, Lord Stevens, Lord Blair, Sir Paul Stephenson and Bernard Hogan Howe.
Stephenson was nearer to Stevens in his approach, he says; Blair was probably a bit more reserved.Stephenson was nearer to Stevens in his approach, he says; Blair was probably a bit more reserved.
He says Blair had a difficult time as parts of the media didn't take to him.He says Blair had a difficult time as parts of the media didn't take to him.
11.15am: Fedorcio is in charge of the Met's media strategy. He says there was a perception that the force had become a "secretive and closed operation following the Lawrence report".11.15am: Fedorcio is in charge of the Met's media strategy. He says there was a perception that the force had become a "secretive and closed operation following the Lawrence report".
However, he says he doesn't believe this was the reality.However, he says he doesn't believe this was the reality.
11.14am: Fedorcio confirms he is on extended leave pending the results of an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into the awarding of a PR consultancy contract to Neil Wallis's company, Chamy Media.11.14am: Fedorcio confirms he is on extended leave pending the results of an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into the awarding of a PR consultancy contract to Neil Wallis's company, Chamy Media.
11.13am: Fedorcio says he started as a contractor but was later offered a full-time staff job.11.13am: Fedorcio says he started as a contractor but was later offered a full-time staff job.
11.06am: Cheesley has finished giving evidence and Dick Fedorcio takes the stand.11.06am: Cheesley has finished giving evidence and Dick Fedorcio takes the stand.
11.06am: SO15 head Hayman briefed 15 MPA members in camera about Forest Gate arrests, and this was leaked to the Sunday Telegraph. A complaint was made and investigated.11.06am: SO15 head Hayman briefed 15 MPA members in camera about Forest Gate arrests, and this was leaked to the Sunday Telegraph. A complaint was made and investigated.
Cheesley confirms she attended a CRA lunch with Hayman shortly afterwards, but says she is sure she wasn't the source of the leak.Cheesley confirms she attended a CRA lunch with Hayman shortly afterwards, but says she is sure she wasn't the source of the leak.
11.02am: Asked whether the DPA ever leaked to the press, Cheesley says no one was caught leaking, but she isn't sure none took place.11.02am: Asked whether the DPA ever leaked to the press, Cheesley says no one was caught leaking, but she isn't sure none took place.
11.02am: Cheesley says the Guardian's Nick Davies never accused her of feeding him inaccurate information.11.02am: Cheesley says the Guardian's Nick Davies never accused her of feeding him inaccurate information.
10.57am: Cheesley is asked about the article in the New York Times suggesting that members of the DPA might have been concerned about arrests of News International journalists.10.57am: Cheesley is asked about the article in the New York Times suggesting that members of the DPA might have been concerned about arrests of News International journalists.
She says she is not aware of concern within the DPA. She was aware the New York Times was preparing an article, but Jay asks if was she was surprised to read about this concern.She says she is not aware of concern within the DPA. She was aware the New York Times was preparing an article, but Jay asks if was she was surprised to read about this concern.
The requests from the New York Times and their responses should be on the Met press log, she says.The requests from the New York Times and their responses should be on the Met press log, she says.
10.55am: Cheesley is asked if she was involved around the arrests of royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in August 2006 or with their guilty pleas in November 2006.10.55am: Cheesley is asked if she was involved around the arrests of royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in August 2006 or with their guilty pleas in November 2006.
She said the arrests were very sensitive and she would have been briefed just shortly before they took place.She said the arrests were very sensitive and she would have been briefed just shortly before they took place.
10.53am: Cheesley is asked if surprise was expressed within the DPA about the apparent level of hospitality.10.53am: Cheesley is asked if surprise was expressed within the DPA about the apparent level of hospitality.
She says there would have been if the press officers didn't know about it, but does not offer a further answer.She says there would have been if the press officers didn't know about it, but does not offer a further answer.
10.51am: Most of Cheesley's hospitality record relates to lunches.10.51am: Most of Cheesley's hospitality record relates to lunches.
She has sometimes bought members of the media drinks at social occasions.She has sometimes bought members of the media drinks at social occasions.
"Less than once a month, quite infrequently," she says."Less than once a month, quite infrequently," she says.
10.51am: Cheesley says she has had off-the-record conversations with journalists throughout her career after being given information by staff.10.51am: Cheesley says she has had off-the-record conversations with journalists throughout her career after being given information by staff.
"We would never give guidance if officers weren't happy with it," she says."We would never give guidance if officers weren't happy with it," she says.
But she adds this is usually confined to correcting inaccuracies.But she adds this is usually confined to correcting inaccuracies.
10.49am: Leveson asks whether socialising with the media is part and parcel of the job.10.49am: Leveson asks whether socialising with the media is part and parcel of the job.
Cheesley starts by explaining her job did not change when Cressida Dick replaced John Yates.Cheesley starts by explaining her job did not change when Cressida Dick replaced John Yates.
Leveson asks if this means that one can do the job without socialising with journalists.Leveson asks if this means that one can do the job without socialising with journalists.
"I don't think you can come down one way or another," she replies."I don't think you can come down one way or another," she replies.
Leveson asks the question again.Leveson asks the question again.
"You could argue that it isn't necessary," she replies."You could argue that it isn't necessary," she replies.
After another attempt to draw a definitive answer, Leveson says: "Do I gather Miss Cheesley that you just don't want to answer that question?"After another attempt to draw a definitive answer, Leveson says: "Do I gather Miss Cheesley that you just don't want to answer that question?"
"No," says Cheeseley."No," says Cheeseley.
"Well, we have tried," sighs Leveson."Well, we have tried," sighs Leveson.
10.38am: Cheesley says she didn't know about Wallis's contract during the period in which it was in operation.10.38am: Cheesley says she didn't know about Wallis's contract during the period in which it was in operation.
"I didn't know anything about his involvement," she says."I didn't know anything about his involvement," she says.
She added: "I was a bit surprised" when she learned about the contract.She added: "I was a bit surprised" when she learned about the contract.
10.33am: Cheesley says she became aware of Wallis's £24,000-a-year consultancy for PR at the Yard in July 2011, by which point it had been terminated.10.33am: Cheesley says she became aware of Wallis's £24,000-a-year consultancy for PR at the Yard in July 2011, by which point it had been terminated.
She says Wallis's advice was at a strategic level, so she would not necessarily have known about it, and was not aware they were recruiting to replace the deputy director of the press desk.She says Wallis's advice was at a strategic level, so she would not necessarily have known about it, and was not aware they were recruiting to replace the deputy director of the press desk.
She says she would usually deal with the deputy director of public affairs.She says she would usually deal with the deputy director of public affairs.
"I am surprised you did not know of him at all," says Leveson."I am surprised you did not know of him at all," says Leveson.
10.30am: Cheesley says she went to a wine bar occasionally where senior Met officers drank.10.30am: Cheesley says she went to a wine bar occasionally where senior Met officers drank.
Sometimes there would be journalists there – members of the CRA who worked for national newspapers. She confirms that they could have included the Sun's Lucy Panton or the Daily Mail's Stephen Wright. Sometimes there would be journalists there – members of the CRA who worked for national newspapers. She confirms that they could have included the Sun's Lucy Panton, the Daily Mail's Stephen Wright and the Daily Express's Jon Twomey.
She says she can't recall being surprised by any of the conversations that took place.She says she can't recall being surprised by any of the conversations that took place.
10.27am: Cheesley says she was told by Yates last year that he knew former News of the World editor deputy editor Neil Wallis.10.27am: Cheesley says she was told by Yates last year that he knew former News of the World editor deputy editor Neil Wallis.
She says the subject came up in conversation as there had been media stories about Yates's relationship with Wallis.She says the subject came up in conversation as there had been media stories about Yates's relationship with Wallis.
Cheesley says Yates told her he met Wallis a couple of times a year.Cheesley says Yates told her he met Wallis a couple of times a year.
10.26am: Cheesley says lunches with the Crime Reporters' Association were always paid for by the CRA.10.26am: Cheesley says lunches with the Crime Reporters' Association were always paid for by the CRA.
She says they were used to give background about police operations such as anti-terrorism.She says they were used to give background about police operations such as anti-terrorism.
10.24am: Cheesley says lunches with the Crime Reporters' Association were conducted under "Chatham House rules", ie they were for background only.10.24am: Cheesley says lunches with the Crime Reporters' Association were conducted under "Chatham House rules", ie they were for background only.
10.22am: Cheesley says she heard rumours Yates had frequent contact with journalists.10.22am: Cheesley says she heard rumours Yates had frequent contact with journalists.
She says he is not different from many officers who have off-the-record conversations that are appropriate.She says he is not different from many officers who have off-the-record conversations that are appropriate.
10.21am: Cheesley's witness statement has now been published on the Leveson inquiry website.10.21am: Cheesley's witness statement has now been published on the Leveson inquiry website.
10.20am: Cheesley says the DPA does not draft senior officers' speeches or strategy, but gives advice as needed.10.20am: Cheesley says the DPA does not draft senior officers' speeches or strategy, but gives advice as needed.
10.17am: Jay asks about Yates's lunches with journalists.10.17am: Jay asks about Yates's lunches with journalists.
Cheesley confirms that alcohol was consumed and the meetings were friendly.Cheesley confirms that alcohol was consumed and the meetings were friendly.
She says they were legitimate meetings, not gossiping, and what was discussed was "entirely appropriate".She says they were legitimate meetings, not gossiping, and what was discussed was "entirely appropriate".
10.15am: Cheesley says Yates was tasked with establishing the facts, and once this was concluded her office, the directorate of public affairs (DPA), became involved.10.15am: Cheesley says Yates was tasked with establishing the facts, and once this was concluded her office, the directorate of public affairs (DPA), became involved.
She says this took place during the afternoon, but she cannot recall the precise time.She says this took place during the afternoon, but she cannot recall the precise time.
10.12am: Jay asks Cheesley if she was involved in drafting press statements with John Yates on 9 July 2009, when the Guardian's revelations about phone-hacking were published.10.12am: Jay asks Cheesley if she was involved in drafting press statements with John Yates on 9 July 2009, when the Guardian's revelations about phone-hacking were published.
She says she was not involved in drafting Yates's statement as she was out of the office, but saw drafts that afternoon and was asked for her views.She says she was not involved in drafting Yates's statement as she was out of the office, but saw drafts that afternoon and was asked for her views.
10.11am: Cheesley previously worked as chief reporter of the Express & Star newspaper in Wolverhampton.10.11am: Cheesley previously worked as chief reporter of the Express & Star newspaper in Wolverhampton.
10.10am: Cheesley says her office provides "press lines", or statements, to the media.10.10am: Cheesley says her office provides "press lines", or statements, to the media.
10.10am: Cheesley says the Met's press desk keeps a register of meetings.10.10am: Cheesley says the Met's press desk keeps a register of meetings.
10.08am: Sara Cheesley, the Met's the Met's senior information officer, takes the stand.10.08am: Sara Cheesley, the Met's the Met's senior information officer, takes the stand.
Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is doing the questioning.Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is doing the questioning.
10.01am: The inquiry has begun.10.01am: The inquiry has begun.
Lord Justice Leveson says he has decided not to disclose the transcript of a private hearing in December for two reasons: private information about victims should remain private; and the inquiry is not concerned with individual conduct, but custom, practice and ethics, and he does not want to prejudice ongoing investigations.Lord Justice Leveson says he has decided not to disclose the transcript of a private hearing in December for two reasons: private information about victims should remain private; and the inquiry is not concerned with individual conduct, but custom, practice and ethics, and he does not want to prejudice ongoing investigations.
However, Leveson says David Sherborne, counsel for the victims, is still free to apply for information from the Operation Motorman files to be made public.However, Leveson says David Sherborne, counsel for the victims, is still free to apply for information from the Operation Motorman files to be made public.
9.57am: There have been developments in the phone-hacking affair this morning, with six people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Josh Halliday and Vikram Dodd report:9.57am: There have been developments in the phone-hacking affair this morning, with six people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Josh Halliday and Vikram Dodd report:
Six people have been arrested by Metropolitan police detectives investigating phone hacking.Six people have been arrested by Metropolitan police detectives investigating phone hacking.
Five men and one woman were arrested on Tuesday morning at addresses in London, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire by officers from Operation Weeting.Five men and one woman were arrested on Tuesday morning at addresses in London, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire by officers from Operation Weeting.
All six were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.All six were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The Met police said a 43-year-old woman was arrested at home in Oxfordshire; a 39-year-old man was held in Hampshire; a 46-year-old man was arrested in west London; a 49-year-old man was arrested in Oxfordshire; a 39-year-old man was arrested in Hampshire; a 38-year-old man was arrested in Hertfordshire, and a 48-year-old man was arrested at a business address in East London.The Met police said a 43-year-old woman was arrested at home in Oxfordshire; a 39-year-old man was held in Hampshire; a 46-year-old man was arrested in west London; a 49-year-old man was arrested in Oxfordshire; a 39-year-old man was arrested in Hampshire; a 38-year-old man was arrested in Hertfordshire, and a 48-year-old man was arrested at a business address in East London.
All six were arrested between 5am and 7am on Tuesday and are being interviewed at police stations.All six were arrested between 5am and 7am on Tuesday and are being interviewed at police stations.
Scotland Yard said in a statement: "A number of addresses connected to the arrests are being searched.Scotland Yard said in a statement: "A number of addresses connected to the arrests are being searched.
"Today's operation follows consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.""Today's operation follows consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service."
Police said the arrests did not result from information passed to them by News Corporation's management and standards committee. A number of past arrests followed News Corp's MSC, which is reviewing internal emails and documents, passing suspicious-looking ones to the Weeting team.Police said the arrests did not result from information passed to them by News Corporation's management and standards committee. A number of past arrests followed News Corp's MSC, which is reviewing internal emails and documents, passing suspicious-looking ones to the Weeting team.
The arrests form the biggest single swoop yet by the Met police in its ongoing investigation into alleged voicemail interception. So far 23 people have been held under Operation Weeting, with two people released without charge.The arrests form the biggest single swoop yet by the Met police in its ongoing investigation into alleged voicemail interception. So far 23 people have been held under Operation Weeting, with two people released without charge.
9.48am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.48am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
There are just two witnesses today – Dick Fedorcio and Sara Cheesley.There are just two witnesses today – Dick Fedorcio and Sara Cheesley.
Fedorcio is expected to be asked about his relationship with senior staff at the News of the World and the circumstances in which the paper's former deputy editor Neil Wallis landed a two-day-a-week consultancy contract with the Met PR department worth £24,000 a year.Fedorcio is expected to be asked about his relationship with senior staff at the News of the World and the circumstances in which the paper's former deputy editor Neil Wallis landed a two-day-a-week consultancy contract with the Met PR department worth £24,000 a year.
Fedorcio has been on extended leave pending the results of an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into the Wallis consultancy arrangement. Wallis, who was covering for Fedorcio's number two, was arrested last July over alleged phone hacking at the now defunct tabloid.Fedorcio has been on extended leave pending the results of an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into the Wallis consultancy arrangement. Wallis, who was covering for Fedorcio's number two, was arrested last July over alleged phone hacking at the now defunct tabloid.
Last week, it emerged that Fedorcio enjoyed a close relationship with Wallis and had several dinner meetings with him and other senior officers between 2006 and 2010. Some of these were described as private arrangements made with the former assistant commissioner John Yates.Last week, it emerged that Fedorcio enjoyed a close relationship with Wallis and had several dinner meetings with him and other senior officers between 2006 and 2010. Some of these were described as private arrangements made with the former assistant commissioner John Yates.
Fedorcio is also expected to be asked about the press strategy he devised for the Met during his tenure at the Yard and whether he encouraged officers to engage in off-the-record briefings.Fedorcio is also expected to be asked about the press strategy he devised for the Met during his tenure at the Yard and whether he encouraged officers to engage in off-the-record briefings.
Cheesley is currently the Met's senior information officer.Cheesley is currently the Met's senior information officer.
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.