Driscoll: leak 'had a negative effect on the investigation'
A senior police officer behind the reopened Stephen Lawrence murder investigation said today he believed the Daily Mail had been "used" by a source who was "deliberately attempting to disrupt the investigation".
Metropolitan police detective chief inspector Clive Driscoll said that, while he praised the Mail's campaign to bring Lawrence's killers to justice, he was concerned that some of the leaked stories had harmed relations between the police and the Lawrence family and potentially delayed the investigation.
In written evidence to the Leveson inquiry, Driscoll said: "Many of the leaked story were published by the Daily Mail and my recollection is that Stephen Wright was usually the author. I do not believe that Mr Wright would have deliberately done anything to undermine the investigation."
However he added: "I found it odd that the Daily Mail were publishing many of the leaks, as they had always campaigned for the suspects to be prosecuted and had been supportive of the family's fight for justice.
"I cannot explain why this was the case, but felt that the newspaper was being used."
One of the leaked stories related to a secret meeting in November 2007 between the Metropolitan police and the Lawrence family and their lawyers.
Driscoll said the Mail learned of the meeting very quickly and published a story the following day, which led to a "media frenzy" and "when this happened it was almost like going back to square one".
"This newspaper article was particularly damaging as it undermined our relationship with the family," he said.
"Every time a story leaked to the press I had to repair relations. It also risked the integrity of the investigation and trust of other witnesses."
Driscoll stressed that he admired the Mail's persistence in the Lawrence campaign, adding: "I have admiration for what the paper did for supporting the family and for Mr Wright pursuing it. The bit I can't understand is why they would do anything to undermine it.
"If people feel threatened, and it is a fact that after this report a witness was visited by one of the suspects, we would worry about this.
"It had a negative effect on the investigation. I don't know who leaked this, so everyone becomes a suspect."
The Metropolitan police carried out a review of the leaked information, and Driscoll said in written evidence to the Leveson inquiry today that Stephen Wright "confirmed that no police source had been involved".
Driscoll said he believed the leaks "would not have come from people involved in the fine detail. It appeared to be someone sitting on the perimeter."
Asked about the lessons learned from the Lawrence leaks, Driscoll said he would urge papers to "reflect on how reporting can affect the family, witnesses and how it can undermine a good investigation".
Free daily newsletter
If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).
