The report was produced by Elizabeth Filkin, a former Parliamentary Standards official. She states that -
In July 2011 there were perceptions that phone hacking at the News of the World was more widespread than had previously been identified, and that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) may not have investigated these concerns thoroughly. The then Commissioner of the MPS and an Assistant Commissioner resigned. In July 2011 the then Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson asked me to review the relationships between the MPS and the media. ...Her terms of reference were -
There was speculation that cosy relationships involving excessive hospitality, between some senior police officers and News of the World journalists, undermined the willingness of the police to pursue possible criminal offences beyond the two convictions in 2007.
To advise the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and his Management Board as follows:Filkin comments that -• Generally as to ethical issues arising from the relationship between police and media;
• The proper purpose of the relationship between senior officers/staff and more junior officers/staff and media executives and reporters at all levels;
• Steps that should, or might, be taken to improve public confidence in police/media relations;
• Whether there are practicable steps that should be taken to improve transparency of police/press relationships;
• What, if any, hospitality is it acceptable for police officers/staff to receive or provide from/to the media;
• What evidence in relation to these issues should be led by the MPS to the Public Inquiry announced by the Prime Minister on 13 July 2011?
I have reviewed the current constraints for the MPS in providing information to the media: The Children and Young Persons Act 1969, the Magistrates Court Act 1980, the Contempt of Court Act 1981, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the Data Protection Act 1998, the Official Secrets Act 1989, the Misconduct in a Public Office Guidance, the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008, the Bribery Act 2010, the Police Staff Discipline Procedures, and the numerous MPS internal policies and standard operating procedures. It is clear that these are not always adhered to.The resultant "key messages" are -
1. It is critical for policing legitimacy that the MPS are as open and transparent as they can be and the media plays an important part in this. On occasions the MPS has not been open enough in providing the right information to the public.
2. The media is vitally important in holding the MPS to account on behalf of the public.
3. The media is essential in informing the public about the work of the police service and its role in the justice system.
4. It is impossible for an organisation to control every contact with the media. Any proposed solution will rely on police officers and police staff ‘living’ a set of core principles and making judgements about their application.
5. In the past it has not been sufficiently clear to police officers and staff what principles should underpin contact with the media. This has resulted in practices which have been damaging.
6. Where relationships with the media appear partial or selective, this creates a serious problem which is damaging to public confidence and to the MPS.
7. Police officers and staff are the best ambassadors for the organisation in providing information to the public. They are part of the public they serve.
8. The problems that I have been told about and the changes that I suggest are to do with broad organisational issues including leadership and management throughout the MPS. A narrow view focused only on the specific task of handling the media will not be productive.