IPCC Deputy Chair and Commissioner for London Deborah Glass: “The IPCC has today received a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to an allegation, which was widely reported yesterday, that a number of officers received payments from the News of the World.
I share the public concerns expressed so powerfully yesterday about police officers being bribed by newpapers. It is obviously crucial that the officers involved are identified. I will personally supervise this investigation to give independent oversight and ensure that it is robust in its attempts to identify any officer who may have committed an offence.
There is an ongoing complex and interconnected criminal enquiry which is looking at the actions of the media and other members of the public as well as the police, and it is important that the overall effectiveness of the investigation being carried out by the MPS under the leadership of DAC Sue Akers is not compromised.
Once those officers have been identified, I will review our level of involvement so that we can exercise our full range of powers.
The public’s confidence has been understandably shaken by these allegations. By providing independent oversight I want to be able to be satisfied - and say with confidence to the public - that the Met has done everything it can to identify the officers involved."
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