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Leveson inquiry: John Twomey, James Murray, Jeremy Lawton - live Leveson inquiry: John Twomey, James Murray, Jeremy Lawton - live
(40 minutes later)
1.03pm: The inquiry has broken for lunch and will return at 2pm
12.51pm: The Sunday Express has an expenses limit of £80 for two which could cover a starter, main course and a bottle of wine or a couple of beers, says Murray.12.51pm: The Sunday Express has an expenses limit of £80 for two which could cover a starter, main course and a bottle of wine or a couple of beers, says Murray.
12.48pm: Murray says the Guardian's revelations that Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked had damaged relations with the press.12.48pm: Murray says the Guardian's revelations that Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked had damaged relations with the press.
All that trust was "blown out the water" by the allegations in the article which could "potentially damage relationships between journalists and the police because we do have a relationship of trust".All that trust was "blown out the water" by the allegations in the article which could "potentially damage relationships between journalists and the police because we do have a relationship of trust".
He was the news editor at the time of the Milly Dowler case.He was the news editor at the time of the Milly Dowler case.
"We spent an enormous amount of time building up relations with Surrey police, meeting them for briefings, having coffee, gaining their trust," he says."We spent an enormous amount of time building up relations with Surrey police, meeting them for briefings, having coffee, gaining their trust," he says.
12.43pm: Murray says he is not a member of the Crime Reporters' Association because his job brief is not exclusively crime.12.43pm: Murray says he is not a member of the Crime Reporters' Association because his job brief is not exclusively crime.
12.40pm: Murray says Scotland Yard holds far fewer press conferences and "often releases precious little information".12.40pm: Murray says Scotland Yard holds far fewer press conferences and "often releases precious little information".
Sometimes it is "very hard to get information out of them; like pulling teeth", he adds.Sometimes it is "very hard to get information out of them; like pulling teeth", he adds.
12.27pm: Murray says the police are "always very pleased" to have newspapers take up their point of view, but journalists always work to see whether that "merits attention".12.27pm: Murray says the police are "always very pleased" to have newspapers take up their point of view, but journalists always work to see whether that "merits attention".
12.24pm: James Murray of the Sunday Express is the next witness.12.24pm: James Murray of the Sunday Express is the next witness.
12.22pm: Former crime investigator David Harrison's witness statement has now been published.12.22pm: Former crime investigator David Harrison's witness statement has now been published.
He says the News of the World "jeopardised" the hunt for the Suffolk serial murderer Steve Wright in 2006.He says the News of the World "jeopardised" the hunt for the Suffolk serial murderer Steve Wright in 2006.
This morning he told the inquiry the News of the World had a surveillance team following the police during the hunt for the Ipswich murderers.This morning he told the inquiry the News of the World had a surveillance team following the police during the hunt for the Ipswich murderers.
I believe that by its actions, NoW jeopardised the murder inquiry. I believe they did this in two ways.I believe that by its actions, NoW jeopardised the murder inquiry. I believe they did this in two ways.
Firstly, many murderers revisit the scence of the crime. If that act is evidenced by a covert surveillance team, its value to the prosecution is extremely important. In this case, if the suspect had decided to re-visit the scene, to dispose of additional evidence, or to move a body that had not yet been found and he realised he was being followed, he may have cancelled or postponed his trip.Firstly, many murderers revisit the scence of the crime. If that act is evidenced by a covert surveillance team, its value to the prosecution is extremely important. In this case, if the suspect had decided to re-visit the scene, to dispose of additional evidence, or to move a body that had not yet been found and he realised he was being followed, he may have cancelled or postponed his trip.
He would not care whether he was being followed by a 'legitimate' surveillance team or one employed by a newspaper. The evidence would be lost and the prosecution case weakened.He would not care whether he was being followed by a 'legitimate' surveillance team or one employed by a newspaper. The evidence would be lost and the prosecution case weakened.
Secondly, our other objective was to ensure that by carrying out 24 hour a day surveillance on the suspect, he would not be able to commit further murders. Our surveillance of the suspect could have been seriously hindered, if at the same time we were trying to keep him under tight control, whilst also having to deal with a 'private' surveillance team getting in the way. If we had lost the suspect because of their actions there could have been tragic consequences.Secondly, our other objective was to ensure that by carrying out 24 hour a day surveillance on the suspect, he would not be able to commit further murders. Our surveillance of the suspect could have been seriously hindered, if at the same time we were trying to keep him under tight control, whilst also having to deal with a 'private' surveillance team getting in the way. If we had lost the suspect because of their actions there could have been tragic consequences.
12.08pm: Twomey says he found the Filkin report into police and press relations "condescending" in parts towards crime reporters, particularly the recommendations that police officers be wary of flirty journalists.12.08pm: Twomey says he found the Filkin report into police and press relations "condescending" in parts towards crime reporters, particularly the recommendations that police officers be wary of flirty journalists.
12.01pm: Press appeals are vital for police hunting criminals says Twomey, who recalls a high-profile double murder in south London in which the victims were knifed and burned.12.01pm: Press appeals are vital for police hunting criminals says Twomey, who recalls a high-profile double murder in south London in which the victims were knifed and burned.
The investigating officer was young and didn't feel comfortable giving details of the postmortem on the record or on camera, so it was communicated non-attributably by a senior press officer and "resulted in a great deal of publicity" and the ultimate capture of the attackers.The investigating officer was young and didn't feel comfortable giving details of the postmortem on the record or on camera, so it was communicated non-attributably by a senior press officer and "resulted in a great deal of publicity" and the ultimate capture of the attackers.
11.51am: Twomey says reporters are not carrying out "a complementary detective role".11.51am: Twomey says reporters are not carrying out "a complementary detective role".
He tells Leveson he is "shocked" to hear evidence this morning that News of the World had a surveillance operation in Ipswich during the hunt for the "Suffolk Strangler" in 2006.He tells Leveson he is "shocked" to hear evidence this morning that News of the World had a surveillance operation in Ipswich during the hunt for the "Suffolk Strangler" in 2006.
If that did happen, that's quite shocking, I'm dismayed if it's the case … quite unbelievable really that a newspaper should go to those lengths.If that did happen, that's quite shocking, I'm dismayed if it's the case … quite unbelievable really that a newspaper should go to those lengths.
It would have taken most crime reporters, almost all crime reporters by surprise.It would have taken most crime reporters, almost all crime reporters by surprise.
11.42am: The inquiry is now taking a short break.11.42am: The inquiry is now taking a short break.
11.37am: Twomey says he is concerned about proposals that police record or at least log every meeting with a journalist, as recommended in the Filkin report.11.37am: Twomey says he is concerned about proposals that police record or at least log every meeting with a journalist, as recommended in the Filkin report.
"That would have a kind of freezing effect. Officers would be less likely to talk to you," he says."That would have a kind of freezing effect. Officers would be less likely to talk to you," he says.
He adds a detective chief inspector seeking promotion "will probably cease all contact" because the record of meetings would come up at an interview.He adds a detective chief inspector seeking promotion "will probably cease all contact" because the record of meetings would come up at an interview.
Leveson protests that this might be looked upon as an officer "doing their job properly" and wonders why Twomey is concerned.Leveson protests that this might be looked upon as an officer "doing their job properly" and wonders why Twomey is concerned.
Twomey says the fear in the officer's mind over their career would be real.Twomey says the fear in the officer's mind over their career would be real.
11.27am: Andy Hayman, the former assistant commissioner in charge of counter-terrorism, was one of those at the CRA meetings.11.27am: Andy Hayman, the former assistant commissioner in charge of counter-terrorism, was one of those at the CRA meetings.
"Was he freer in the way he expressed himself, gave away secrets? No, I don't think he did, certainly not in my presence," says Twomey."Was he freer in the way he expressed himself, gave away secrets? No, I don't think he did, certainly not in my presence," says Twomey.
11.24am: Twomey says police officers don't want to be stuck in Scotland Yard all the time, and they are more likely to be off their guard over a nice lunch.11.24am: Twomey says police officers don't want to be stuck in Scotland Yard all the time, and they are more likely to be off their guard over a nice lunch.
It doesn't mean to say they are knocking back £400 bottles of champagne; [it's] over a couple of glasses of wine and a decent meal, there's a tradition there and I think they would expect it. They don't want to be in Scotland Yard when they could be out in a comfortable place with people they know and they can trust.It doesn't mean to say they are knocking back £400 bottles of champagne; [it's] over a couple of glasses of wine and a decent meal, there's a tradition there and I think they would expect it. They don't want to be in Scotland Yard when they could be out in a comfortable place with people they know and they can trust.
If you can only meet them in police stations or Scotland Yard, they are probably more likely to be toeing the party line.If you can only meet them in police stations or Scotland Yard, they are probably more likely to be toeing the party line.
11.20am: Leveson returns to one of his favourite themes in this module: why lunches? why alcohol?11.20am: Leveson returns to one of his favourite themes in this module: why lunches? why alcohol?
He ays he is not "puritanical" about eating or drinking, "but is it really the case, that the way of attracting the attention of the most senior officers was … inviting them to a very nice lunch?"He ays he is not "puritanical" about eating or drinking, "but is it really the case, that the way of attracting the attention of the most senior officers was … inviting them to a very nice lunch?"
"Help me, if it doesn't create a bit of a problem which requires this sort of inducement?" asks Leveson."Help me, if it doesn't create a bit of a problem which requires this sort of inducement?" asks Leveson.
Twomey denies it is an "inducement" and says it's just "a more convivial, comfortable" way of meeting. But he agrees that Leveson is not being "too straight laced" to voice a level of concern.Twomey denies it is an "inducement" and says it's just "a more convivial, comfortable" way of meeting. But he agrees that Leveson is not being "too straight laced" to voice a level of concern.
He says it goes on everywhere – defence correspondents meet army officers in their clubs.He says it goes on everywhere – defence correspondents meet army officers in their clubs.
11.16am: Twomey says the benefit of the lunches with the CRA was "to keep the access open".11.16am: Twomey says the benefit of the lunches with the CRA was "to keep the access open".
"If we did have a terrorist emergency to 2005, we wanted similar access that we could then, but we wanted it to be improved, to be quicker," he adds."If we did have a terrorist emergency to 2005, we wanted similar access that we could then, but we wanted it to be improved, to be quicker," he adds.
11.15am: Twomey says the standard of the restaurant used for informal contact with the police was directly proportionate to the seniority of the officer involved.11.15am: Twomey says the standard of the restaurant used for informal contact with the police was directly proportionate to the seniority of the officer involved.
Some £60 to £80 a head would be spent with senior officers.Some £60 to £80 a head would be spent with senior officers.
"These must be lunches with alcohol, it goes without saying," says Jay."These must be lunches with alcohol, it goes without saying," says Jay.
11.06am: Lunches between senior officers and the CRA have now ceased, which is a bad thing, says Twomey as reporters are not getting the briefings they used to get about issues such as counter-terrorism.11.06am: Lunches between senior officers and the CRA have now ceased, which is a bad thing, says Twomey as reporters are not getting the briefings they used to get about issues such as counter-terrorism.
11.04am: Twomey met Dick Fedorcio, the Met's director of public affairs, about "twice a year", sometimes on his own, but sometimes with one or two other members of the Crime Reporters' Association.11.04am: Twomey met Dick Fedorcio, the Met's director of public affairs, about "twice a year", sometimes on his own, but sometimes with one or two other members of the Crime Reporters' Association.
"I always found him very proper, very professional, and very loyal to the organisation and to those in command," says Twomey."I always found him very proper, very professional, and very loyal to the organisation and to those in command," says Twomey.
11.02am: Twomey has been a crime reporter for 24 years. He says the "bread and butter" crime stories come from the lower ranks of the police force – inspector, chief inspector and superintendent level.11.02am: Twomey has been a crime reporter for 24 years. He says the "bread and butter" crime stories come from the lower ranks of the police force – inspector, chief inspector and superintendent level.
10.55am: Leveson puts it to Twomey that if vital information is passed on to a journalist, the police "have lost control" because the journalist may then decide to publish on public interest grounds.10.55am: Leveson puts it to Twomey that if vital information is passed on to a journalist, the police "have lost control" because the journalist may then decide to publish on public interest grounds.
Twomey says there would be a "careful reflection", there would not be a "rushing into print".Twomey says there would be a "careful reflection", there would not be a "rushing into print".
"You would never go ahead with any story that would possibly jeopardise apprehending a criminal … or a prosecution," says Twomey."You would never go ahead with any story that would possibly jeopardise apprehending a criminal … or a prosecution," says Twomey.
10.51am: The inquiry is returning to one of its most frequent themes - police and journalists in the pub.10.51am: The inquiry is returning to one of its most frequent themes - police and journalists in the pub.
Twomey explains it is "very unlikely" for informal information to be passed on over the phone – it would normally through a face-to-face meeting, perhaps in a pub.Twomey explains it is "very unlikely" for informal information to be passed on over the phone – it would normally through a face-to-face meeting, perhaps in a pub.
10.47am: Twomey says a "tighter budget at the Express" means it can't pitch for exclusive pictures and stories as often as other papers.10.47am: Twomey says a "tighter budget at the Express" means it can't pitch for exclusive pictures and stories as often as other papers.
Relations between police and the media changed over time but noticeably so around the time of the Stephen Lawrence murder when newspapers became more critical of the Met.Relations between police and the media changed over time but noticeably so around the time of the Stephen Lawrence murder when newspapers became more critical of the Met.
10.41am: John Twomey of the Daily Express has the stand.10.41am: John Twomey of the Daily Express has the stand.
Since 2009, he has been chairman of the Crime Reporters' Association.Since 2009, he has been chairman of the Crime Reporters' Association.
10.33am: Jay has now finished his questioning of Harrison.10.33am: Jay has now finished his questioning of Harrison.
At around 15 minutes, that was one of the shortest testimonies of the Leveson inquiry which is expected to come back to the subject of the hunt for the "Suffolk Strangler", Steve Wright.At around 15 minutes, that was one of the shortest testimonies of the Leveson inquiry which is expected to come back to the subject of the hunt for the "Suffolk Strangler", Steve Wright.
10.31am: Harrison says police investigations can be hampered by newspapers that deploy professional surveillance operations.10.31am: Harrison says police investigations can be hampered by newspapers that deploy professional surveillance operations.
The inquiry hears how murder suspects often return to the scene of the crime, or may commit further offences, but if the suspect knows they are being followed they would behave differently and elude the police.The inquiry hears how murder suspects often return to the scene of the crime, or may commit further offences, but if the suspect knows they are being followed they would behave differently and elude the police.
10.30am: Harrison says the Sunday Mirror had also engaged a team that mounted surveillance.10.30am: Harrison says the Sunday Mirror had also engaged a team that mounted surveillance.
Its picked the first suspect up and took him to a place where he could be "debriefed".Its picked the first suspect up and took him to a place where he could be "debriefed".
However, that suspect was not the murderer.However, that suspect was not the murderer.
10.17am: During the hunt for the killer, a News of the World surveillance team was deployed to identify who the Soca team were.10.17am: During the hunt for the killer, a News of the World surveillance team was deployed to identify who the Soca team were.
The surveillance team followed police vehicles, and parked on the outskirts of Ipswich in the same spot the officers would normally be.The surveillance team followed police vehicles, and parked on the outskirts of Ipswich in the same spot the officers would normally be.
Harrison says it was clear that they were professionals, possibly ex-special forces.Harrison says it was clear that they were professionals, possibly ex-special forces.
10.15am: In December 2006 Harrison was part of a Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) team working on the hunt for the Ipswich serial killer who murdered five prostitutes.10.15am: In December 2006 Harrison was part of a Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) team working on the hunt for the Ipswich serial killer who murdered five prostitutes.
10.08am: The inquiry has begun and the first witness is retired criminal investigator Dave Harrison.10.08am: The inquiry has begun and the first witness is retired criminal investigator Dave Harrison.
Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, explains that some witnesses are appearing out of order as they can only make certain dates.Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, explains that some witnesses are appearing out of order as they can only make certain dates.
9.58am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.58am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Today's witnesses are crime correspondents: John Twomey of the Daily Express, James Murray of the Sunday Express and Jeremy Lawton of the Daily Star.Today's witnesses are crime correspondents: John Twomey of the Daily Express, James Murray of the Sunday Express and Jeremy Lawton of the Daily Star.
Twomey is also chairman of the Crime Reporters' Association.Twomey is also chairman of the Crime Reporters' Association.
The fourth witness is Dave Harrison, a retired criminal investigator.The fourth witness is Dave Harrison, a retired criminal investigator.
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.