Home Affairs inquiry into Unauthorised tapping or hacking of mobile communications

Mr Dick Fedorcio OBE, Director of Public Affairs and Internal Communication at the Metropolitan Police, has replied to a letter sent yesterday by the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee.

The Chairman had written to him to clarify evidence given to the committee by senior members of the Metropolitan Police when they gave evidence on Tuesday. Since then the issue of Mr Neil Wallis’ employment with the Metropolitan Police has been raised. The letter is copied below.

 As result of this letter Mr Fedorcio has been asked to give evidence to the committee on Tuesday July 19th 2011 at 12:45 pm. The only other witness on Tuesday will be Sir Paul Stephenson the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Committee Chairman, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, said:

“Mr Fedorcio’s letter throws new light on these matters and we hope to explore these with him at the meeting on Tuesday.”

For further information please contact Alex Paterson on 020 7219 1589

(1) Letter from Chairman to Dick Fedorcio OBE Director of Public Affairs of the Metropolitan Police:

The Home Affairs Committee is in the process of obtaining final pieces of evidence in order to conclude its inquiry into the unauthorised tapping and hacking of mobile communication.

During our evidence session with Mr Andy Hayman on Tuesday, he stated that he had discussed with you his decision to accept hospitality from News International while they were under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

To assist us in our inquiry, please could you tell us in writing what advice you gave Mr Hayman on this occasion.

(2) Reply from Dick Fedorcio OBE Director of Public Affairs of the Metropolitan Police to Chairman:

I am responding to your letter of 14 July 2011 asking me to comment upon an element of the evidence given by Mr Hayman to your Committee on 12 July 2011.

I first became aware of the investigation into phone hacking upon my return from a period of leave in August 2006.

To the best of my knowledge and recollection, the only dinner that I attended with Mr Hayman and News International staff was on 25 April 2006, some three months previously. The dinner was entered in the Specialist Operations Directorate Hospitality Register.

Therefore, I did not discuss with, or give advice to, Mr Hayman on any question relating to attending this dinner whilst the investigation was in progress. Furthermore, I did not have any conversation with Mr Hayman about phone hacking more generally at that time.