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Operation Elveden and tighter press regulation creating 'climate of fear' Operation Elveden and tighter press regulation creating 'climate of fear'
(7 months later)
A former senior Metropolitan police officer has warned that Scotland Yard's investigation into police and public officials leaking stories to newspapers, combined with calls for tougher regulation of the press is creating a "climate of fear" that could stop injustices being exposed.A former senior Metropolitan police officer has warned that Scotland Yard's investigation into police and public officials leaking stories to newspapers, combined with calls for tougher regulation of the press is creating a "climate of fear" that could stop injustices being exposed.
Kevin Hurley, a former detective chief superintendent, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday morning that he feared genuine whistleblowers in the police and other areas of the public sector such as the NHS could now be too scared to go to the media for fear of arrest.Kevin Hurley, a former detective chief superintendent, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday morning that he feared genuine whistleblowers in the police and other areas of the public sector such as the NHS could now be too scared to go to the media for fear of arrest.
Today's report followed up on last week's announcement by Scotland Yard that they had detained a senior police officer for allegedly leaking information to a journalist from News International, saying his arrest did not involve any allegation that he received any money.Today's report followed up on last week's announcement by Scotland Yard that they had detained a senior police officer for allegedly leaking information to a journalist from News International, saying his arrest did not involve any allegation that he received any money.
That arrest of chief superintendent Andy Rowell, the borough commander in Ealing, west London, has raised concerns that the Met's Operation Elveden inquiry into alleged illegal payments by journalists to public officials has now been widened to include any instance of police officers talking to the press.That arrest of chief superintendent Andy Rowell, the borough commander in Ealing, west London, has raised concerns that the Met's Operation Elveden inquiry into alleged illegal payments by journalists to public officials has now been widened to include any instance of police officers talking to the press.
Hurley told Today: "How did we find out about the MPs' expenses and fiddling going on there? How did we find out about military kit not being up to scratch for Iraq and Afghanistan? How did find out patient care and the NHS failings?Hurley told Today: "How did we find out about the MPs' expenses and fiddling going on there? How did we find out about military kit not being up to scratch for Iraq and Afghanistan? How did find out patient care and the NHS failings?
"The media find out about [scandals] very often because public officials come forward and tell them about it because they don't have confidence in their own organisations."The media find out about [scandals] very often because public officials come forward and tell them about it because they don't have confidence in their own organisations.
He said he was concerned that a culture was being created across the public sector where people are afraid to talk to the media.He said he was concerned that a culture was being created across the public sector where people are afraid to talk to the media.
"We are all going to be less safe for it. We have to be careful what we wish for when we talk about press regulation and press control," Hurley added."We are all going to be less safe for it. We have to be careful what we wish for when we talk about press regulation and press control," Hurley added.
"We are a liberal democracy and the press should be able to build relations and people should be able to speak to the press and expose wrong doing if they see it.""We are a liberal democracy and the press should be able to build relations and people should be able to speak to the press and expose wrong doing if they see it."
Hurley, who was recently elected Surrey police and crime commissioner, told MediaGuardian that the recent arrest of an officer for allegedly leaking information to the press even though no money had allegedly been involved combined with a drive to tighten up press regulation could be dangerous for democracy.Hurley, who was recently elected Surrey police and crime commissioner, told MediaGuardian that the recent arrest of an officer for allegedly leaking information to the press even though no money had allegedly been involved combined with a drive to tighten up press regulation could be dangerous for democracy.
"There is another message that may being transmitted as a result of the Elveden inquiry which may be an unforeseen or unfortunate consequence that will cause people in the public sector to ask whether or not they dare speak to a journalist about wrong-doing lest they are arrested," he said."There is another message that may being transmitted as a result of the Elveden inquiry which may be an unforeseen or unfortunate consequence that will cause people in the public sector to ask whether or not they dare speak to a journalist about wrong-doing lest they are arrested," he said.
Hurley added as a result there was a danger that "atrocious examples of wrongdoing" would remain secret.Hurley added as a result there was a danger that "atrocious examples of wrongdoing" would remain secret.
Scotland Yard has arrested 107 people, including 57 journalists, since the phone-hacking scandal erupted in 2011, through interlinked investigations Operating Weeting (phone hacking), Operation Elveden (payments to public officials) and Operation Tuleta (criminal breaches of privacy) and Operation Kalmyk (computer hacking). Of the 107 arrested, 73 remain on bail, which is some cases has lasted almost two years.Scotland Yard has arrested 107 people, including 57 journalists, since the phone-hacking scandal erupted in 2011, through interlinked investigations Operating Weeting (phone hacking), Operation Elveden (payments to public officials) and Operation Tuleta (criminal breaches of privacy) and Operation Kalmyk (computer hacking). Of the 107 arrested, 73 remain on bail, which is some cases has lasted almost two years.
Since Operation Elveden was launched in June 2011, 61 people have been arrested, including 24 current and former Sun journalists.Since Operation Elveden was launched in June 2011, 61 people have been arrested, including 24 current and former Sun journalists.
On Tuesday the Crown Prosecution Service announced a former prison officer has been charged with misconduct in public office after allegedly receiving £3,350 from the Sun for information about a high-profile prisoner.On Tuesday the Crown Prosecution Service announced a former prison officer has been charged with misconduct in public office after allegedly receiving £3,350 from the Sun for information about a high-profile prisoner.
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