This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/may/09/leveson-inquiry-martin-clarke-live

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Leveson inquiry: Martin Clarke, Russell Middleton, Brendan Gilmour – live Leveson inquiry: Martin Clarke, Russell Middleton, Brendan Gilmour – live
(40 minutes later)
11.32am: Gilmour says during the information commissioner's Operation Motorman investigation in 2003 the Met police discovered that a civilian employee, named Paul Marshall, was providing information from the police national computer to private detectives, which later ended up in newspapers.
He adds: "I recall reviewing Marshall's position ... it was relatively low risk, there wasn't a risk to life, there was more benefit in leaving him where he was in order to obtain the information."
Gilmour says that the Met police was "alive to the sensitivities of investigating journalists" but that there "wasn't any fear involved at all".
He adds that there was no trepidation about investigating journalists, but the force was alive to the attention it would attract.
11.24am: Gilmour is asked about Operation Glade, the Met police's 2003-05 investigation into police corruption.
He refers to "isolated and sporadic" incidents involving the police national computer.
11.20am: The inquiry has now resumed.
DCI Brendan Gilmour, who worked on Scotland Yard's Operation Glade investigation into police corruption, is the next witness.
His is appearing in camera, with only his voice being transmitted through the inquiry live feeds.
11.16am: Here is the statement from the Dowler family, read by Sherborne to the inquiry:
If Surrey Police had prosecuted this activity in 2002 then the position would have been very different and perhaps countless others might also have been avoided having their private messages hacked into by the News of the World.
Police neglect and deference meant that it took the relentless efforts of one journalist to uncover what the police knew had gone on, and whilst we would never have wished to have been thrust into the middle of this extraordinary scandal on top of what we have already had to deal with as a family, we continue to have faith that his efforts and the efforts of the inquiry and Operation Weeting will have a lasting positive impact.
11.13am: Sherborne says that a newspaper would without any compunction access the messages of a missing teenager showed the depths to which certain sections of the press were prepared to go.
"No-one can possibly argue this inquiry was not entirely justified," says Sherborne.
He dismisses as wild suggestions that the News of the World should not have been shut down because it was not responsible for the false hope moment:
One should remember the industrial scale that such hacking took place and spread like a cancer through the newsroom and other floors of the News of the World … this newspaper was rotten to the core, that is why Mr Murdoch cut it out and we heard him say last week he wished he had done so sooner.
11.10am: The inquiry is taking a short break.
11.03am: Sherborne argues that the Leveson inquiry would still have happened even if the Guardian's story of July 2011 had never appeared.
He says:
While some questions stay and may always remain unanswered there are some to which we do know the answer. The News of the World did hack into Milly Dowler's phone searching for a scoop at a time when she had already been murdered. That fact alone is horrifying enough.
We also know that the newspaper interfered seriously with the police investigation trying to use the information they had illegally obtained to get an exclusive on Milly's movements.
Thirdly this inquiry investigating as it has done the practices, culture and ethics of the press would have happened regardless of the question which arose at the start of the evidence that Sally Dowler's false hope moment may have been the result of activity of someone at or working for the newspaper.
The false hope moment and the News of the World's potential responsibility was not part of the decision to set up this inquiry in the first place.
10.59am: David Sherborne, counsel for the Dowler family and several other victims of press intrusion, is making a short statement.10.59am: David Sherborne, counsel for the Dowler family and several other victims of press intrusion, is making a short statement.
He rebukes Surrey police for the force's "utter failure" to investigate the News of the World's activities in 2002.He rebukes Surrey police for the force's "utter failure" to investigate the News of the World's activities in 2002.
Sherborne says there was a "lethal cocktail" of three ingredients in this matter: a failure by Surrey police; the Met police decision to close the original hacking investigation, and News of the World concealment of hacking.Sherborne says there was a "lethal cocktail" of three ingredients in this matter: a failure by Surrey police; the Met police decision to close the original hacking investigation, and News of the World concealment of hacking.
10.58am: Counsel for News International repeats the publisher's apology to the Dowler family.10.58am: Counsel for News International repeats the publisher's apology to the Dowler family.
The lawyer notes that the Metropolitan police has turned up no evidence that News International journalists deleted messages prior to the false hope moment.The lawyer notes that the Metropolitan police has turned up no evidence that News International journalists deleted messages prior to the false hope moment.
10.54am: Gill Phillips, the head of legal for the Guardian, refers to the evidence read moments ago by Neil Garnham QC for the Metropolitan police.10.54am: Gill Phillips, the head of legal for the Guardian, refers to the evidence read moments ago by Neil Garnham QC for the Metropolitan police.
She says:She says:
The Guardian welcomes the fact that the Metropolitan Police has modified its statement from last December.
/>The Guardian has prepared its own timeline for the Inquiry which reflects its understanding of the relevant events, which it believes to be accurate.		 The Guardian welcomes the fact that the Metropolitan Police has modified its statement from last December. The Guardian has prepared its own timeline for the Inquiry which reflects its understanding of the relevant events, which it believes to be accurate.
The Guardian has no wish to cause any distress to the Dowler family.
/>We also recognise the continuing need for care in reporting this matter given the on-going criminal investigation.		 The Guardian has no wish to cause any distress to the Dowler family. We also recognise the continuing need for care in reporting this matter given the on-going criminal investigation.
What DCI MacDonald's statement makes clear is that the following facts are now not in dispute:
(para7) The News of the World hacked into the voice messages of Milly Dowler after she disappeared in March 2002.
(para 27) The police have found evidence to suggest that somebody was manually deleting some of Milly's messages but they have been unable to identify the person responsible. They have also found evidence which suggests automatic deletion.
(par 31) In April 2002 Surrey police made a connection between the apparent deletion of Milly's messages and the News of the World.
(para 32) The manual deletion of the messages was discussed by Sally and Bob Dowler and the police during meetings in 2011. The Dowlers speculated to the police that their "false hope moment" was due to such manual deletion. Surrey Police continued to regard this link as "completely reasonable and absolutely possible" (par 34) and the Metropolitan police did not seek to dissuade Mr and Mrs Dowler from this belief. (par 33)
The Guardian's story of 4 July 2011 was based on multiple sources and their state of knowledge at the time. Our error – as we acknowledged and corrected last December – was to have written about the cause of the deletions as a fact rather than as the belief of several people involved in the case. We regret that. After five more months of intensive inquiry, the police have found that the passage of time and the loss of evidence means that "reaching a definitive conclusion is not and may never be possible" (par 39)		What DCI MacDonald's statement makes clear is that the following facts are now not in dispute:
(para7) The News of the World hacked into the voice messages of Milly Dowler after she disappeared in March 2002.
(para 27) The police have found evidence to suggest that somebody was manually deleting some of Milly's messages but they have been unable to identify the person responsible. They have also found evidence which suggests automatic deletion.
(par 31) In April 2002 Surrey police made a connection between the apparent deletion of Milly's messages and the News of the World.
(para 32) The manual deletion of the messages was discussed by Sally and Bob Dowler and the police during meetings in 2011. The Dowlers speculated to the police that their "false hope moment" was due to such manual deletion. Surrey Police continued to regard this link as "completely reasonable and absolutely possible" (par 34) and the Metropolitan police did not seek to dissuade Mr and Mrs Dowler from this belief. (par 33)
The Guardian's story of 4 July 2011 was based on multiple sources and their state of knowledge at the time. Our error – as we acknowledged and corrected last December – was to have written about the cause of the deletions as a fact rather than as the belief of several people involved in the case. We regret that. After five more months of intensive inquiry, the police have found that the passage of time and the loss of evidence means that "reaching a definitive conclusion is not and may never be possible" (par 39)
10.49am: The Met police did not examine the manual deletions issue any further or seek to dissuade the Dowlers from their view, Garnham tells the inquiry. The force did not tell the Dowlers there was evidence that Milly's voicemails had been deleted.10.49am: The Met police did not examine the manual deletions issue any further or seek to dissuade the Dowlers from their view, Garnham tells the inquiry. The force did not tell the Dowlers there was evidence that Milly's voicemails had been deleted.
Concluding, Garnham says that the Dowlers "false hope" moment occurred on 24 March 2002.Concluding, Garnham says that the Dowlers "false hope" moment occurred on 24 March 2002.
He says it is not possible to state with any certainty that Dowler's voicemails were deleted.He says it is not possible to state with any certainty that Dowler's voicemails were deleted.
Garnham tells the inquiry that one missing voicemail may have been subject to an illegal intercept in that 72-minute period between when it was read and saved, and when the Met police listened to it.Garnham tells the inquiry that one missing voicemail may have been subject to an illegal intercept in that 72-minute period between when it was read and saved, and when the Met police listened to it.
Garnham has completed DCI MacDonald's statement.Garnham has completed DCI MacDonald's statement.
10.45am: Garnham says that reaching a definitive conclusion is not and may never be possible on the issue of manual deletions.10.45am: Garnham says that reaching a definitive conclusion is not and may never be possible on the issue of manual deletions.
He says that the Guardian story in July 2011 and the Dowler's voicemails were not the only occasions when the issue was raised.He says that the Guardian story in July 2011 and the Dowler's voicemails were not the only occasions when the issue was raised.
Garnham says manual deletions being the source of the Dowlers' "false hope" moment was speculated on in meetings between the family and the police in 2011.Garnham says manual deletions being the source of the Dowlers' "false hope" moment was speculated on in meetings between the family and the police in 2011.
10.42am: The Met police cannot conclusively say whether any voicemails were or were not manually deleted, Garnham tells the inquiry.10.42am: The Met police cannot conclusively say whether any voicemails were or were not manually deleted, Garnham tells the inquiry.
He says that two voicemail messages were missing on 17 April when they should have shown up in the police searches.He says that two voicemail messages were missing on 17 April when they should have shown up in the police searches.
"It's not known why that happened," he says."It's not known why that happened," he says.
10.40am: Garnham says the Met police cannot rule out that someone unlawfully intercepted Milly Dowler's voicemails on 26 March 2002, after saying that "someone had accessed Milly's voicemail and listened to it" on that day.10.40am: Garnham says the Met police cannot rule out that someone unlawfully intercepted Milly Dowler's voicemails on 26 March 2002, after saying that "someone had accessed Milly's voicemail and listened to it" on that day.
He adds that the call data is not complete for various technical reasons, meaning that Scotland Yard still cannot have a clear picture of the issue.He adds that the call data is not complete for various technical reasons, meaning that Scotland Yard still cannot have a clear picture of the issue.
The Met police says that "full clarity is unlikely to be provided" because of the technical issues.The Met police says that "full clarity is unlikely to be provided" because of the technical issues.
10.38am: On 26 March there was an "unsuccessful" attempt to record Milly's voicemails, according to One2One [now T-Mobile, a part of Everything Everywhere], Garnham says.10.38am: On 26 March there was an "unsuccessful" attempt to record Milly's voicemails, according to One2One [now T-Mobile, a part of Everything Everywhere], Garnham says.
He says Milly Dowler's voicemails were migrated to a new platform by the mobile operator on 26 March. The Met police does not believe Surrey police were aware of the voicemail platform migration.He says Milly Dowler's voicemails were migrated to a new platform by the mobile operator on 26 March. The Met police does not believe Surrey police were aware of the voicemail platform migration.
The phone provider said the reason old messages were not available to listen to on 17 April was because that function was removed 21 days after platform migration.The phone provider said the reason old messages were not available to listen to on 17 April was because that function was removed 21 days after platform migration.
Milly's mail box was migrated on 26 March, so the option to listen to old messages (on the old platform) would have been removed on 16 April.Milly's mail box was migrated on 26 March, so the option to listen to old messages (on the old platform) would have been removed on 16 April.
10.35am: Garnham, for the Met police, refers to a voicemail saved on 26 March 2002, meaning someone may have listened to that message after she had disappeared.10.35am: Garnham, for the Met police, refers to a voicemail saved on 26 March 2002, meaning someone may have listened to that message after she had disappeared.
10.31am: Milly Dowler last called her own voicemail on 20 March just after 5pm, says Garnham.10.31am: Milly Dowler last called her own voicemail on 20 March just after 5pm, says Garnham.
He tells the inquiry that the Met police believes there was an automatic deletion of individual voicemails once 72 hours had been reached.He tells the inquiry that the Met police believes there was an automatic deletion of individual voicemails once 72 hours had been reached.
"There needs to be an awareness that this explanation is from detectives from Operation Weeting," he says."There needs to be an awareness that this explanation is from detectives from Operation Weeting," he says.
A voicemail platform migration occurred on 26 March 2002 and would have had the effect of resetting Milly Dowler's voicemail to an automated generic message. However, this occurred after 24 March when Mrs Dowler was able to leave a message on Milly's phone.A voicemail platform migration occurred on 26 March 2002 and would have had the effect of resetting Milly Dowler's voicemail to an automated generic message. However, this occurred after 24 March when Mrs Dowler was able to leave a message on Milly's phone.
10.29am: Garnham, for the Met police, is reading timings from Surrey police's family liaison officer's notes from the period.10.29am: Garnham, for the Met police, is reading timings from Surrey police's family liaison officer's notes from the period.
He tells the inquiry there is no evidence to support the suggestion any journalist attempted to hack Dowler's phone before 26 March 2002.He tells the inquiry there is no evidence to support the suggestion any journalist attempted to hack Dowler's phone before 26 March 2002.
A mobile phone operator told the Met police that voicemails would automatically be purged from Dowler's phone if they were more than 72 hours old.A mobile phone operator told the Met police that voicemails would automatically be purged from Dowler's phone if they were more than 72 hours old.
10.23am: Neil Garnham QC, counsel for the Met police, is reading a witness statement from DCI John MacDonald.10.23am: Neil Garnham QC, counsel for the Met police, is reading a witness statement from DCI John MacDonald.
Garnham says Scotland Yard has carried out an "hour by hour" reconstruction of events from the Dowler investigation.Garnham says Scotland Yard has carried out an "hour by hour" reconstruction of events from the Dowler investigation.
Garnham says there is evidence to support the fact that Dowler's voicemails were intercepted.Garnham says there is evidence to support the fact that Dowler's voicemails were intercepted.
10.21am: David Barr, counsel to the inquiry, is up. He introduces a witness statement from the Met police about the interception of Milly Dowler's voicemails.10.21am: David Barr, counsel to the inquiry, is up. He introduces a witness statement from the Met police about the interception of Milly Dowler's voicemails.
Leveson says that the circumstances surrounding the Dowler deletions is important background to the inquiry. He adds that the precise detail of "the extent that there was such interference is probably not going to inform my overall view of the culture, practices and ethics of the press".Leveson says that the circumstances surrounding the Dowler deletions is important background to the inquiry. He adds that the precise detail of "the extent that there was such interference is probably not going to inform my overall view of the culture, practices and ethics of the press".
He is happy that this evidence be read because he says it is part of the overall picture, but its significance should not be misunderstood.He is happy that this evidence be read because he says it is part of the overall picture, but its significance should not be misunderstood.
10.18am: Leveson says the groups have "fundamentally misunderstood" the purpose of redaction within the Inquiries Act.10.18am: Leveson says the groups have "fundamentally misunderstood" the purpose of redaction within the Inquiries Act.
He adds that redactions sought by government ministers will be treated in the same way as redactions sought by other core participants.He adds that redactions sought by government ministers will be treated in the same way as redactions sought by other core participants.
Leveson says he has not ruled out publicising attempts to make redactions, but he expects this to be extremely rare.Leveson says he has not ruled out publicising attempts to make redactions, but he expects this to be extremely rare.
10.15am: Here is a link to the Guardian story from yesterday about pressure groups wanting to block government special advisers from seeing witness statements.10.15am: Here is a link to the Guardian story from yesterday about pressure groups wanting to block government special advisers from seeing witness statements.
10.08am: Leveson says he expects those government ministers who have been granted core participant status will restrict their confidentiality circle to the "minimum number necessary".10.08am: Leveson says he expects those government ministers who have been granted core participant status will restrict their confidentiality circle to the "minimum number necessary".
The Guardian's Lisa O'Carroll has just tweeted:The Guardian's Lisa O'Carroll has just tweeted:
#leveson jus paused in his delivery as Hugh Grant walked into court 73! #leveson just paused in his delivery as Hugh Grant walked into court 73!
— lisa o'carroll (@lisaocarroll) May 9, 2012— lisa o'carroll (@lisaocarroll) May 9, 2012
10.04am: The inquiry has started.10.04am: The inquiry has started.
Lord Justice Leveson begins by referring to the open letter sent to the inquiry yesterday by pressure groups including Full Fact, English PEN and Index on Censorship.Lord Justice Leveson begins by referring to the open letter sent to the inquiry yesterday by pressure groups including Full Fact, English PEN and Index on Censorship.
These groups have urged the inquiry to reverse its decision to allow several government ministers early access to confidential documents by core participants.These groups have urged the inquiry to reverse its decision to allow several government ministers early access to confidential documents by core participants.
Leveson is not happy that this letter was publicised before he was given the chance to deal with it.Leveson is not happy that this letter was publicised before he was given the chance to deal with it.
9.52am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.52am: Welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Today the inquiry will hear from Martin Clarke, publisher of the Daily Mail's website, MailOnline.Today the inquiry will hear from Martin Clarke, publisher of the Daily Mail's website, MailOnline.
Clarke joined the Daily Mail in 1987 before editing the Scotsman, the Daily Record and Sunday Mail. He took over MailOnline in 2006, when the website barely existed, and made it the most popular English-language newspaper website in the world by 2011.Clarke joined the Daily Mail in 1987 before editing the Scotsman, the Daily Record and Sunday Mail. He took over MailOnline in 2006, when the website barely existed, and made it the most popular English-language newspaper website in the world by 2011.
He has a reputation for terrifying his subordinates – described as a composite of Kelvin MacKenzie, Piers Morgan and his editor-in-chief, Paul Dacre – but also known for his news judgement.He has a reputation for terrifying his subordinates – described as a composite of Kelvin MacKenzie, Piers Morgan and his editor-in-chief, Paul Dacre – but also known for his news judgement.
The inquiry will also hear from DCI Brendan Gilmour, who worked on the Scotland Yard's Operation Glade investigation into police corruption, and Russell Middleton, temporary assistant chief constable of Devon & Cornwall police. Gilmour will give evidence in private, but his voice will be broadcast on the inquiry website.The inquiry will also hear from DCI Brendan Gilmour, who worked on the Scotland Yard's Operation Glade investigation into police corruption, and Russell Middleton, temporary assistant chief constable of Devon & Cornwall police. Gilmour will give evidence in private, but his voice will be broadcast on the inquiry website.
Please note that comments are switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments are switched off for legal reasons.