Senior Cop Apologises Over Hacking Probe

by Guest 10.07.11 12:46

Senior Cop Apologises Over Hacking Probe

9:52am UK, Sunday July 10, 2011

A senior Scotland Yard detective has expressed his "extreme regret" that he did not act to reopen police inquiries into phone hacking two years ago.

Despite fresh allegations that thousands of public figures had been targeted, Assistant Commissioner John Yates ruled in July 2009 that there was no new evidence.

He has come under vociferous criticism from MPs over his stance and has been called on to give evidence to an ongoing inquiry by an influential Commons committee.

The initial police investigation led to the jailing of News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire.

But it was accepted that they were an isolated case.

I am accountable and it happened on my watch and it's clear I could have done more. I have regrettably said the initial inquiry was a success. Clearly now that looks very different.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates
He spoke after this week's revelation that the mobile phone of murdered school girl Milly Dowler had in fact been among those targeted.

He said: "We are all extremely shocked by it and it is a matter of massive regret we didn't deal with it earlier."

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, he said: "My byword has always been you look after the victims and the job will always resolve itself.

"I always put the victim first but here I didn't follow my principle and that is my greatest regret."

He told the newspaper: "I didn't do a review. Had I known then what I know now, all bets are off. I would never have reached this conclusion.

John Yates gives evidence to a committee probing the phone hacking scandal

"I am accountable and it happened on my watch and it's clear I could have done more.

"I have regrettably said the initial inquiry was a success. Clearly now that looks very different."

The entire scandal had been "a very damaging episode" for the Metropolitan Police, which now faced a task to rebuild public confidence, he said.

Announcing his decision in 2009, Mr Yates declared: "No additional evidence has come to light since this case has concluded.

"I therefore consider that no further investigation is required."

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/John-Yates-Assistant-Commissioner-Apologises-For-Failing-To-Investigate-NOTW-Phone-Hacking/Article/201107216027574?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_16027574_John_Yates%3A_Assistant_Commissioner_Apologises_For_Failing_To_Investigate_NOTW_Phone_Hacking

by **PeterMac** 10.07.11 16:07

The same Yates who led the 'Cash for Honours' enquiry.
Can we hope that will be re-opened ?
And if not, why not ?

by **sharonl** 10.07.11 16:12

Thanks for posting this Candyfloss

Extract from Candyfloss' post

"Despite fresh allegations that thousands of public figures had been targeted, Assistant Commissioner John Yates ruled in July 2009 that

there was no new evidence."

Where have we heard that term so many times?

The term neglect or in this case, gross negligence also springs to mind.

Was John Yates solely responsible for the closure of this case? Who else was involved? and more importantly, who made the final decision not to investigate further and why?

by **PeterMac** 10.07.11 19:07

Was Yates ever entertained at the expense of NI ?

by **sharonl** 10.07.11 19:32

PeterMac wrote:Was Yates ever entertained at the expense of NI ?

Hopefully we will soon find out.

I find it worrying that Murdoch`s mate Cameron is about to meet with the Dowler family (reminds me of Brian Kennedy meeting with Robert Murat whilst he was a suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine), in both cases, shouldn`t that be left to the police?

What is the purpose of Murdoch ~~and his cheque book~~ visiting the UK?

Why are Sky news not reporting the facts that Rebekah Brooks is to be questioned, James Murdoch may be prosecuted in the US and the UK, and why don`t they name the 53 detective that was arrested?

by Gillyspot 10.07.11 19:52

candyfloss wrote:Senior Cop Apologises Over Hacking Probe Despite fresh allegations that thousands of public figures had been targeted, Assistant Commissioner John Yates ruled in July 2009 that there was no new evidence....

He said: "We are all extremely shocked by it and it is a matter of massive regret we didn't deal with it earlier."

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, he said: "My byword has always been you look after the victims and the job will always resolve itself.

"I always put the victim first but here I didn't follow my principle and that is my greatest regret."

He told the newspaper: "I didn't do a review. Had I known then what I know now, all bets are off. I would never have reached this conclusion.

I see this as an admission of guilt by Yates that he knew what was going on and he was "shocked" when it came out as he expected it to be dead and buried. His byword that he "always" adheres to except in this one instance with Milly Dowler implies quite a lot in my opionion. And the fact he said "Had I known then what I know now, all bets are off" can also be read that he realises he is in deep doodaa and has to get his finger out and actually do his job now.