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Leveson inquiry: Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chris Sims - live Leveson inquiry: Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chris Sims - live
(40 minutes later)
10.53am: Hogan-Howe says he broadly accepts Elizabeth Filkin's report but he doesn't see why some journalists have found her findings, particularly those about "flirting" or drinking with reporters, patronising or condescending.
"I didn't take it that way and encouraged people to think in a different way about something that had become a problem," he adds.
10.47am: Hogan-Howe says proposals to force officers to record meetings with journalists are part of an effort to increase transparency, not to close down communications with the press.
He adds that it would not stop whistleblowing; not involve any bureaucratic form filling or transcripts of conversations, but would aid police examine any potential for bias if there were more meetings with one newspaper group than another.
"I'm not too disappointed that tittle tattle has stopped," he says.
10.41am: The name of a suspect in the Jones case was written on a wall near the spot where he was killed but the police still did not name him.
"Suspicions don't always materialise into charges and charges don't always materialise into convictions," says Hogan-Howe.
10.39am: Hogan-Howe says there should be no naming of suspects by the police or press. Often the names are wrong and it can limit a court case later.
The only caveat would be if someone "is dangerous or on the run" and would case risk to life if not apprehended.
10.35am: Hogan-Howe says the public should be informed about what their police service is doing on their behalf.
The interest of the press may be "challenging", but he cites two major murder investigations during his time as head of Merseyside when it was critical to bring the offenders in.
First, the killing of Rhys Jones, the-11 year-old boy shot death in Croxteth, where "the public interest caused more witnesses to come forward. Secondly, the coverage and "furore and anger" that followed the racist murder of Anthony Walker "enabled a lot of people to help us".
10.31am: Hogan-Howe says a perception of a bias towards News International puts the Met in a difficult position, particularly the suggestion that a relationship may have "influenced in some way" the decision not to continue the phone-hacking investigation.
The perception might be "rebuttable" but it "leaves a police officer in a difficult position" if they have to explain that relationship "before they explain why they did or didn't do something". People can "accept human error", Hogan Howe adds.
10.29am: Sustained contact with journalists over drinks can damage a police officer's integrity, but Hogan-Howe is not opposed to the odd drink.
A drink, so what? for me it's the pattern … one drink, one coffee, one meal, I'm not sure if that's going to damage integrity but I think sustained contact can.
10.28am: Hogan-Howe says that over the past few years, press interest has often focused too much on individuals within the Met rather than public interest issues.
"Adult conversations" with reporters who want to challenge police policy or operations are to be welcomed, he adds. "There is a great benefit in being challenged by journalists."
10.17am: Journalists have described the relationship with the Met as more "austere", says Hogan-Howe, but he stresses it is still holding press conferences and encouraging local officers to talk to the press.
"I would genuinely like to understand why they say that ... I have not yet understood which aspect of our relationship is causing the damage," he adds.
10.11am: Hogan-Howe says he has continued meetings with the Crime Reporters' Association, but there have been concerns over how the relationship will work.10.11am: Hogan-Howe says he has continued meetings with the Crime Reporters' Association, but there have been concerns over how the relationship will work.
He says the the lunches with senior police officers after monthly CRA briefings no longer take place. Last year, the CRA held its Christmas drinks as usual in a pub, and the Met decided to attend only for a short time.He says the the lunches with senior police officers after monthly CRA briefings no longer take place. Last year, the CRA held its Christmas drinks as usual in a pub, and the Met decided to attend only for a short time.
We try to maintain some normality to the relationship … but it's been a difficult line to draw, given we do to maintain professional relationship but neither do we want to be too close.We try to maintain some normality to the relationship … but it's been a difficult line to draw, given we do to maintain professional relationship but neither do we want to be too close.
10.09am: In his witness statement, Hogan-Howe describes the relationship as "distorted".10.09am: In his witness statement, Hogan-Howe describes the relationship as "distorted".
10.07am: Hogan-Howe says he picked up concerns about an overly "close social relationship" between officers and the press. He says the frequency and extent of meetings was a surprise.10.07am: Hogan-Howe says he picked up concerns about an overly "close social relationship" between officers and the press. He says the frequency and extent of meetings was a surprise.
10.05am: Hogan-Howe says when he rejoined the Met in 2011 the force's relations with the press were "unstable" due to the departures of Sir Paul Stephenson and John Yates, and the phone-hacking investigation.10.05am: Hogan-Howe says when he rejoined the Met in 2011 the force's relations with the press were "unstable" due to the departures of Sir Paul Stephenson and John Yates, and the phone-hacking investigation.
10.03am: The inquiry has begun and Met commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe takes the stand.10.03am: The inquiry has begun and Met commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe takes the stand.
9.57am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.57am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Today will be dominated by the testimonies of the heads of the two largest police forces in the country – the Met police in London and the West Midlands police in Birmingham. Between them, they are in charge of more than 70,000 staff.Today will be dominated by the testimonies of the heads of the two largest police forces in the country – the Met police in London and the West Midlands police in Birmingham. Between them, they are in charge of more than 70,000 staff.
Bernard Hogan-Howe, a former Merseyside police chief, was parachuted into the Met in London last July after the resignation of Sir John Stephenson in the wake of the phone hacking scandal while Chris Sims, chief constable of West Midlands police, has been in charge in Birmingham since 2009.Bernard Hogan-Howe, a former Merseyside police chief, was parachuted into the Met in London last July after the resignation of Sir John Stephenson in the wake of the phone hacking scandal while Chris Sims, chief constable of West Midlands police, has been in charge in Birmingham since 2009.
Hogan-Howe was Merseyside chief between 2004 and 2009 where he was associated with reducing the number of gang crimes and anti-social behaviour.Hogan-Howe was Merseyside chief between 2004 and 2009 where he was associated with reducing the number of gang crimes and anti-social behaviour.
Expect questions about his experience in Merseyside. Leveson was born and educated in Liverpool and the force was cited last week by the Guardian's crime correspondent as one of the most helpful in the country.Expect questions about his experience in Merseyside. Leveson was born and educated in Liverpool and the force was cited last week by the Guardian's crime correspondent as one of the most helpful in the country.
The West Midlands police is the country's second largest metropolitan force in the country with 12,000 staff.The West Midlands police is the country's second largest metropolitan force in the country with 12,000 staff.
Sims will be the last to give evidence and will be preceded by his head of press, who is also a chief inspector.Sims will be the last to give evidence and will be preceded by his head of press, who is also a chief inspector.
Four journalists will also testify: Adrian Faber from the Birmingham Express and Star; Tim Gordon from the South Wales Echo; Justin Penrose from the Sunday Mirror; and Tom Pettifor from the Daily Mirror.Four journalists will also testify: Adrian Faber from the Birmingham Express and Star; Tim Gordon from the South Wales Echo; Justin Penrose from the Sunday Mirror; and Tom Pettifor from the Daily Mirror.
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.