Transparency International UK, the UK chapter of the non-governmental anti-corruption body, is calling for swift action to undo the damage caused by the phone hacking scandal.
Chandrashekhar Krishnan, Executive Director of Transparency International UK, said: โThe allegations that journalists bribed police officers are both shocking and serious. The Met investigation should be carried out quickly and the perpetrators investigated and convicted if guilty.<br><br>โThis sad case reveals that the UK is not immune to corruption and that there are risks of corruption within the police and media which must not be ignored. The Government cannot afford to be complacent. There is a need for swift action and thorough investigation. We are calling on the Prime Minister to ensure that the promised public inquiry proceeds without delay.โ<br><br>Notes <br><br>TI-UK recently published reports, together called Corruption in the UK, which suggested that corruption is a much greater problem in the UK than recognised and that there is an inadequate response to its growing threat. Police and press are covered in the reports.<br><br>Meanwhile the Met Police said on July 7 that the Met met the police watchdog the IPCC on 22 June to inform them and discuss the content of documents provided by News International on 20 June containing information relating to alleged inappropriate payments to a small number of Met officers.<br><br>At that time it was agreed that the Met would conduct the investigation and if, or when, any officers were identified the cases would be referred to the IPCC.<br><br>However, in view of the significant public and political concern expressed following the publication of this information the MPS on 7 July made a formal referral to the IPCC.<br><br>Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, said: "We recognised the gravity of this case from the outset and involved the IPCC at the first opportunity. I strongly believe in and welcome independent oversight, especially in a case such as this, where public confidence in the police is seriously at risk."<br><br>Meanwhile in Scotland, First Minister Alex Salmond commented on the announcement by PM David Cameron that there will be a judge-led inquiry into the hacking activities at News of the World and breaches of data protection laws by other newspapers, and a further inquiry into the ethics and conduct of the press.<br><br>Mr Salmond said: "A judge-led public inquiry into the appalling hacking activity at News of the World, and breaches of data protection laws across the newspaper industry, is clearly the right and proper course of action.<br><br>"We already know from the Information Commissioner’s Operation Motorman report in December 2006 of over 3,000 breaches of data protection across a range of titles, yet nothing was done by successive Westminster governments despite his recommendations for tough action. The inquiry also needs to establish why this has been the case.<br><br>"In terms of the additional inquiry announced by the Prime Minister into the broader conduct of the press, if he is discussing its scope and remit with opposition leaders at Westminster, he must also consult with the parliaments and assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, given the diversity of the media across the different nations of the UK.<br><br>"In Scotland, Strathclyde Police have already been tasked by the Crown Office to examine aspects of the evidence presented during the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial. Regarding specific claims of phone hacking and breaches of data protection in Scotland, Strathclyde Police will also review the available information and liaise with the Metropolitan Police in relation to any Scottish dimension to their current investigations, and report their findings to the Area Procurator Fiscal at Glasgow."
