Fair cop
Sir: Any of your readers who follow the news will no doubt be surprised by Kelvin MacKenzie's claim that I have 'gagged the press' (`The great Condon cover-up', 10 January). Not a day goes by without the Metropolitan Police featuring in the regional and national media for one reason or another.
Contrary to Kelvin MacKenzie's asser- tions, the Metropolitan Police has an open approach to media relations. In fact, we seek to encourage positive and honest rela- tionships with journalists. This obviously has benefits for both parties.
However, it would not be practical or pos- sible, for the police or the media, for infor- mation about every incident in the capital to be publicised. The demands of the media, and the public's right to know, must be bal- anced with our responsibilities to victims of crime, and the requirements of the law.
We recognise that some victims of crime may not want publicity about an incident. Furthermore, our duty to uphold and enforce the law does not always lend itself to providing the media with all the details they would like about a case.
Kelvin MacKenzie will be reassured to know that there is no 'special team' concen- trating on investigating journalists. But we will investigate complaints about Metropolitan Police officers selling infor- mation or receiving `tip-off fees for stories. I believe that where we are able to pro- vide information about crime and police matters to the media, it should be done in a free and fair way, without the need for money to change hands.
Paul Condon
Metropolitan Police Service, New Scotland Yard, Broadway, London SW1
Previous page
