Commission to Hear Final Evidence from Police Whistleblower Peter Fox

ABC News
July 9, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-09/commission-to-hear-final-evidence-from-police-whistleblower/4807552?section=nsw

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox due to wrap up his evidence at the Special Commission of Inquiry today in Newcastle.

After a day of in-camera evidence, the inquiry into child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the New South Wales Hunter Valley will resume its public hearings this morning.

Senior policeman Peter Fox is still giving evidence to the Special Commission's second terms of reference.

The inquiry is investigating his claims that senior church officials did not cooperate with police who were investigating two paedophile priests, Father Denis McAlinden and Father James Fletcher.

The inquiry went into a private session yesterday but will resume its public hearings this morning, with the cross examination of Peter Fox expected to wrap up today.

Former policeman Donald Brown is scheduled to be heard next, followed by Detective Senior Constable Jacqueline Flipo.

Documents already tendered at the commission show senior clergy, including the former Bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, Michael Malone, knew about the abuse.

A letter, tendered to the commission late last week, shows McAlinden was willing to hand himself into police if Bishop Malone advised it.

The inquiry is yet to hear from Bishop Malone as to why he did not tell police.

He is scheduled to give evidence later today or tomorrow.