Whistleblower Cop Has No Regrets

ABC News
May 11, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-11/whistleblower-cop-has-no-regrets/4683298


The policeman who blew the whistle on an alleged cover-up of child sexual abuse in the Hunter Valley's Catholic Church says he is mentally exhausted after five days in the witness box.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox says he was directed to stop investigating allegations of child sexual abuse by two Maitland-Newcastle Catholic priests.

His claims sparked a New South Wales Special Commission, with the public hearings getting underway this week.

Peter Fox finished giving evidence late yesterday and says the inquiry is taking its toll.

"I feel very drained," he said.

"I think I'd be lying if I said that I felt any other way.

"It's been a difficult process - five days in the witness box answering questions is mentally exhausting.

" I think the best I'd done before that was three days (giving evidence) for a murder trial.

"So, five days, I'm pleased it's over and we can start to move on and hear some of the other evidence next week."

He says he is looking forward to hearing other people's evidence next week.

"I knew this was going to be a rough time, I didn't expect that I would be given an easy time an many things will be put to me and I'm sure there will be more," he said.

"But I've still got no reservations whatsoever about what I've said.

"It hasn't been easy, but I don't think it's just my family.

"There's a number of other people that this has not been easy on, but someone said to me the other day, 'Pete, just keep thinking of the faces of all those victims out there', and I have."