Dick Fedorcio

Metropolitan police director of public affairs Dick Fedorcio appearing before the home affairs select committee


Director of public affairs Dick Fedorcio has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

In a statement, the force said the referral is in connection with "the ongoing high-level public interest in the relationship between News International and the MPS".

In particular, the decision follows interest in the relationship between former News of the World executive Neil Wallis and Fedorcio.

Wallis, who was arrested in connection with allegations of phone hacking, was awarded a contract by the Metropolitan police as a PR advisor in 2009.

Fedorcio, who is responsible for media relations for the Metropolitan police, signed off the Wallis contract.

Speaking before the home affairs committee today, Fedorcio said assistant commissioner John Yates, who resigned yesterday (18 July), had questioned Wallis before the contract was awarded.

"He (Yates) said to me, as far as he was concerned, there was nothing that could embarrass any of us by that appointment."

Also giving evidence today, Yates denied that he suggested Wallis' name to Fedorcio, but added that Wallis was a good candidate for the job.

Yates' resignation followed a decision by the Metropolitan Police Authority to suspend him and refer him to the IPCC.

Speaking today (19 July) before the home affairs committee, Sir Paul Stephenson said the name Wallis was not connected to phone hacking allegations when he was awarded the PR contract.

Stephenson, who resigned as commissioner of the Metropolitan police, added he has no involvement with the procurement of staff and that the committee would have to ask Fedorcio these questions.

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