Fox Accused of Undermining Police Strikeforce

By Jamelle Wells
ABC - Lateline
May 9, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3755903.htm

[with video]

Transcript

TONY JONES, PRESENTER: Police whistleblower Peter Fox has been accused of undermining the police strike force set up to investigate child sexual abuse in the Hunter. The Commission of Inquiry also heard claims he'd breached a court order by tweeting information from within the hearing. Jamelle Wells reports from Newcastle.

JAMELLE WELLS, REPORTER: Detective chief inspector Peter Fox has spent four days being grilled about the police investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse by former priests Denis McAlinden and Jim Fletcher in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, but he says he's determined to get to the bottom of the truth.

PETER FOX, NSW POLICE: I was expecting it wouldn't be easy and it certainly hasn't been, but I'm prepared to endure that.

JAMELLE WELLS: Peter Fox was cross-examined by Wayne Roser, the barrister for a number of police officers appearing at the inquiry. He accused Peter Fox of breaching a suppression order by tweeting information about witnesses. Mr Roser said the tweet was another example of Peter Fox trying to undermine the strike force set up to investigate child sexual abuse allegations. "... from July, 2010 until now you've used every endeavour to undermine the Strikeforce Lantle?" "... I tried to assist it in every way ...".

Peter Fox denied claims that he'd changed police computer records to suggest that he was the chief investigator on the Denis McAlinden matter. He said the changes had been made for administrative reasons. He also denied that his appearance on the ABC's Lateline program had been scripted for him, but he agreed that his intention was to push for a Royal Commission.

Peter Fox said that campaign has put him and his family through hell. At the end of today's evidence, Commissioner Margaret Cunneen confirmed that one of Peter Fox's superiors, superintendent Charlie Haggett, is excused from giving evidence on medical grounds. The inquiry continues.