Newly-released records show that senior officers dined with editors at the newspaper a month after royal correspondent Clive Goodman was arrested
This article was migrated from an old version of our website in 2025. As a result, it might have some low-quality images or non-functioning links - if there's any issues you'd like to see fixed, get in touch with us at info@journalism.co.uk.
There used to be something here that couldn't be migrated - please contact us at info@journalism.co.uk if you'd like to see this updated!
Senior officers from the Metropolitan Police have dined eight times with News of the World editors since 2006, at one point just a month after the arrest of the newspaper's royal correspondent Clive Goodman for phone hacking .
Details of meetings between senior officers and News of the World staff have been disclosed by the police force following a request by the Metropolitan Police Authority. Last month, acting commissioner Tim Godwin told the authority that the Metropolitan Police is "not afraid of being held accountable" for its investigation into phone hacking.
According to the newly published information, in September 2006 deputy commissioner Paul Stephenson dined with then News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis, as well as Scotland Yard's director of public affairs Dick Fedorcio.
The meeting happened a month after the newspaper's royal correspondent, Clive Goodman was arrested amid allegations of phone hacking at the title. The trio went to dinner again in November 2007, the same year that Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed for plotting to intercept voicemail messages, according to the list.
The meetings listed are only those where the purpose was to meet specifically with the News of the World, so the list would not include regular briefings and presentations with the Crime Reporters Association or social events at which News of the World journalists or executives may have been present.
In a statement, the Met said its senior officers meet representatives from a wide range of media "as a necessary part of their roles".
September - Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson - dinner with Deputy Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio
November - Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson - dinner with Deputy Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio
February - Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson - dinner with Deputy Editor, News of the World
October - Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - meeting with Deputy Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio
October - Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - dinner with Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio
February - Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - dinner with Deputy Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio
May - Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - dinner Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio
June - Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin, Participation in News of the World Save our Streets Roadshow alongside the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
June - Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - attendance at News Corporation reception
June - Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - dinner with Deputy Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio
November - AC Yates - Dinner with Editor and Crime Editor, News of the World
August - AC Dick - At request of Commissioner met with Deputy Editor and Chief Lawyer of the News of the World, together with two Detective Superintendents where they were handed material alleging Pakistan Cricketers Spot Fixing allegations which resulted in arrest and searches later that day.
June - Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - attendance at News Corporation reception
