Praise and Criticism for Police Whistleblower

By Emma Alberici
ABC - Lateline
June 25, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3788719.htm

[with video]

The NSW special commission of inquiry into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church resumed in Newcastle and heard both praise and criticism for the police officer who sparked the inquiry Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox.

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: The NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into child sex abuse in the Catholic Church resumed today in Newcastle with praise and criticism for detective chief inspector Peter Fox, the police officer who sparked the inquiry.

The journalist who Peter Fox has described as his informant, Joanne McCarthy from the Newcastle Herald, took the stand today.

She described Peter Fox as having a different approach to his investigations, saying he was pretty keen compared to other police.

Ms McCarthy also told the inquiry she was phoned by another senior police officer in the Hunter who said the internal Church documents she'd supplied to investigators would not lead to a prosecution.

JOANNE MCCARTHY, NEWCASTLE HERALD (female voiceover): "On 13th August, 2010, I received a call from police officer Stephen Ray. He told me that in regards to the Catholic Church, prosecutions weren't the way to go. He said a Truth and Reconciliation Commission might be the better way to go."

EMMA ALBERICI: Also giving evidence today, the former head of Strike Force Lantle, detective sergeant Geoff Little. The strike force has investigated child sex abuse cases involving the clergy.

Detective Little told the inquiry that Peter Fox had "ridden to glory on a saddle of lies".