Fox's Claims on Strike Force Rejected

By Stephen Ryan
Newcastle Herald
May 15, 2013

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1504863/foxs-claims-on-strike-force-rejected/?cs=12

QUESTIONED: Former Detective Chief Inspector Brad Tayler, right, leaving Newcastle court. Picture: Darren Pateman

Formal opening of the inquiry 

Opening Address of Ms Julia Lonergan SC

Opening Address of Commissioner Margaret Cunneen SC

May 15 - Day 8 - Commission Transcript

May 14 - Day 7 - Commission Transcript

May 13 - Day 6 - Commission Transcript 

May 10 - Day 5 - Commission Transcript 

May 9 - Day 4 - Commission Transcript 

May 8 - Day 3 - Commission Transcript 

May 7 - Day 2 - Commission Transcript 

May 6 - Day 1 - Commission Transcript 

CLAIMS by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox that a strike force established to investigate allegations of sexual abuse cover-ups by the Catholic Church was a sham were ‘‘disgusting’’, ‘‘crazy’’ and had ‘‘destroyed’’ the reputations of police, a senior officer said yesterday.

Former Newcastle crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Brad Tayler, said every effort was made to investigate claims of concealment by members of the clergy, but the investigation was halted by a victim who refused to make a statement.

Mr Tayler, who has left the force, said suggestions by Mr Fox that Strike Force Lantle was a sham were made ‘‘by someone who had nothing to do [with] and had limited knowledge of what we were trying to do’’, the Special Commission of Inquiry heard.

When asked what his reaction was to claims that the strike force was set up to fail, Mr Tayler replied: ‘‘Frankly, I was disgusted and I’m still disgusted.’’

He said the claims had done ‘‘nothing more than destroy the public’s perception of the type of inquiries done by the NSW police’’ and had ‘‘destroyed’’ his reputation and that of others.

‘‘It’s crazy,’’ he added.

Mr Tayler said he would have objected to Mr Fox having any role on his investigative team. One reason for that was that he believed Mr Fox had had ‘‘unauthorised dealings’’ with the media.

He said there were times when information could be released to the media for ‘‘investigative purposes’’, but unauthorised dealings were ‘‘totally wrong; it’s inappropriate and it’s damaging’’.

The inquiry is examining Mr Fox’s claims that he was ordered to stop investigating the concealment of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church.

The inquiry has previously heard that Strike Force Lantle had a number of staffing issues, with Mr Tayler adding that a major stumbling block was obtaining a statement from a victim.

Mr Tayler said that the victim’s refusal meant that police could not establish whether an offence had been committed, which made it difficult to investigate whether an offence had been concealed.

‘‘We couldn’t even apply for a search warrant because we didn’t even have a complaint,’’ he said.

‘‘We were doing everything we could in my opinion.’’

The hearing before Commissioner Margaret Cunneen is expected to adjourn tomorrow before hearings resume next month.