Senior Police Officer Apologises to Whistleblower Peter Fox for Unfair Comments

By Dan Cox
ABC News
June 25, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-25/journalist-denies-agreement-with-police-whistleblower-to-concea/4778530

A senior New South Wales policeman has apologised to whistleblower Peter Fox for comments he made in his statement to the Special Commission investigating child sexual abuse in the Hunter Valley's Catholic Church.

The Special Commission is looking into Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox's claims that he was ordered to stop investigating two Maitland-Newcastle priests, Father Denis McAlinden and Father James Fletcher.

Peter Fox's superior, Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Humphrey, began giving evidence this afternoon at the public hearings in Newcastle.

In court today he made changes to his statement before it was tendered to the Commission, saying there were "unfair comments" regarding Peter Fox, and he apologised.

He also told the court there was no intention to shut Peter Fox out of the investigation but "it needed fresh eyes".

Journalist contacted senior clergyman about abuse

The journalist at the centre of the inquiry says a senior clergyman knew about a paedophile priest but did nothing about it.

In giving evidence today Fairfax journalist Joanne McCarthy said she contacted senior Hunter Valley priest Brian Lucas.

She told the court Father Lucas had material about Father Denis McAlinden sexually abusing children but he did nothing about it.

She said the material indicates the "systemic protection of paedophiles" and "an intention to alert McAlinden" to the allegations.

Joanne McCarthy denied she had an agreement with police whistleblower Peter Fox not to disclose information.

Dubbed his "informant", Ms McCarthy yesterday started giving evidence.

The hearings have heard DCI Fox gave Ms McCarthy an internal police report, which he asked her to keep close to her chest.

She told the court she was his "sounding board".

When asked by police barrister Wayne Roser why she did not tell a police strike force that Peter Fox had more statements, Ms McCarthy said it was not her place.

She said the report showed Peter Fox was still "desperately keen to investigate" the concealment allegations.

When asked by counsel assisting the commission whether she was "trying to advance Peter Fox's agenda against certain police", Joanne McCarthy said, "certainly not".

Ms McCarthy told the court she ended up making a formal complaint to the Police Integrity Commission because she was not happy with the investigation.

She said it was Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell's "bizarre suggestion" that she share her information with police.

Joanne McCarthy has now finished giving evidence.

Outside the court she said it has not been easy but she has no regrets.

"This whole thing has been difficult in terms of managing being a journalist but also being involved in an area that really was new and difficult and fraught, but very, very necessary," she said.

"I'm very pleased that we're at this point that we have a Federal Royal Commission."