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Operation Elveden: Met inquiry into payments to public officials closes Operation Elveden: Met inquiry into payments to public officials closes
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland Yard’s investigation into payments by journalists to police and other public officials has officially closed after five years.Scotland Yard’s investigation into payments by journalists to police and other public officials has officially closed after five years.
Operation Elveden was launched in 2011 following the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World and led to 90 arrests, most of them in dawn raids.Operation Elveden was launched in 2011 following the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World and led to 90 arrests, most of them in dawn raids.
The investigation, which cost £14.7m, was criticised by journalists who were brought to trial and out of the 29 cases against them, only one, the Sun crime reporter Anthony France, has been convicted by a jury. He is appealing against the conviction.The investigation, which cost £14.7m, was criticised by journalists who were brought to trial and out of the 29 cases against them, only one, the Sun crime reporter Anthony France, has been convicted by a jury. He is appealing against the conviction.
Among the journalists acquitted of conspiring to cause misconduct in public office were the former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks, now chief executive of News UK, Rupert Murdoch’s publishing operation.Among the journalists acquitted of conspiring to cause misconduct in public office were the former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks, now chief executive of News UK, Rupert Murdoch’s publishing operation.
The majority of journalists were acquitted after they were able to prove the leaks were in the public interest. They ranged from information about Prince William and Prince Harry at Sandhurst, to information about high-profile murderers such as the boys who killed toddler Jamie Bulger. The majority of journalists were acquitted after they were able to prove the leaks were in the public interest. They ranged from information about Prince William and Prince Harry at Sandhurst, to information about high-profile murderers such as the boys who killed toddler James Bulger.
Many of the public officials, mostly police officers, prison officers and army staff, pleaded guilty and did not go to court. In total there were 34 convictions. A second journalist, Dan Evans, who worked at the News of the World and the Sunday Mirror, pleaded guilty to an Elveden offence.Many of the public officials, mostly police officers, prison officers and army staff, pleaded guilty and did not go to court. In total there were 34 convictions. A second journalist, Dan Evans, who worked at the News of the World and the Sunday Mirror, pleaded guilty to an Elveden offence.
The Sun’s former news editor Chris Pharo, and its Thames Valley district reporter, Jamie Pyatt, described the operation as a “monumental error”.The Sun’s former news editor Chris Pharo, and its Thames Valley district reporter, Jamie Pyatt, described the operation as a “monumental error”.
Among the public officials who were convicted were:Among the public officials who were convicted were:
Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan, described Elveden as one of the “most difficult and complex investigations” undertaken by the Met. She said nine police officers had been convicted and 21 other public officials. Assistant commissioner Patricia Gallan described Elveden as one of the “most difficult and complex investigations” undertaken by the Met. She said nine police officers had been convicted and 21 other public officials.
“Their actions caused irreparable damage to public confidence, and it is right that they faced prosecution. These were not whistle-blowers, but people working in some of the most trusted positions in the police, prisons and healthcare, who were only seeking to profit,” she said. “Their actions caused irreparable damage to public confidence, and it is right that they faced prosecution. These were not whistleblowers but people working in some of the most trusted positions in the police, prisons and healthcare, who were only seeking to profit,” she said.