IPCC investigation into allegation of inappropriate disclosure of information by an MPS officer during “phone hacking” investigation

22 Oct 2015 01:27 PM

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has concluded its investigation into an allegation of inappropriate disclosure of information by a police officer during a 2006 phone hacking investigation and has found there is no case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct.

On 15 October 2012 the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to charge DCS Surtees with any criminal offence.

In 2012, the IPCC began investigating an allegation of inappropriate disclosure of information to Rebekah Brooks by the then Detective Chief Inspector (DCI), now Detective Chief Superintendent (DCS), Keith Surtees of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). DCS Surtees met with Mrs Brooks in September 2006 as a victim in the phone hacking investigation, after records revealed that her mobile phone voicemail had been intercepted on a number of occasions.

DCS Surtees was part of the investigative team for Operation Caryatid – an investigation into how journalists at the News of the World were listening in to voicemail messages on mobile phones belonging to members of the royal household.

DCS Surtees selected Mrs Brooks as a potential witness in the MPS’ investigation into activities by News of the World reporter Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire. DCS Surtees’ supervisor was aware Mrs Brooks had been selected as part of the witness strategy set by the senior investigating officer and that Mrs Brooks was one of a number of witnesses DCS Surtees had requested to meet.

The IPCC’s investigation found there was no indication that DCS Surtees’ motive was improper or that he received any benefit as a result of the meeting, whether financial or otherwise.

The IPCC began the investigation following a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) as a result of documents obtained by Operation Elveden – an investigation into phone hacking at News of the World that began in 2011.