AUSTRALIA
ABC – Lateline
[with video]
Detective Chief Inspector, Peter Fox told the Newcastle unquiry into sexual abuse in the Catholic Church that he had lied to colleagues because he thought they lacked integrity, commitment and professionalism.
Transcript
EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: The New South Wales policeman at the centre of a special commission into the handling of sexual abuse cases in the Catholic Church has admitted he deliberately ignored directions from his superior to cease contact with the media. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox faced intense scrutiny on day two of the inquiry in Newcastle. Peter Fox said he lied to colleagues because he thought they were not police with integrity, commitment or professionalism. In one email read to the inquiry, he described his superiors as pricks who should shove it. As Suzie Smith reports, there was a total breakdown of trust between DCI Fox and some of his superiors.
SUZIE SMITH, REPORTER: Day two and new insights into the relationship between Peter Fox and his police bosses. Again, in sharp focus a critical meeting in early December 2010 at the Waratah police station in Newcastle. DCI Fox told the inquiry he intentionally disobeyed an order from the Newcastle commander Max Mitchell to bring all his investigation documents. Those documents included an explosive witness statement which he didn’t hand over because he told the inquiry he didn’t trust Commander Mitchell or his fellow officers. “So you lied to the police at the meeting?” she said.
PETER FOX (ACTOR’S VOICE): Oh absolutely yes, I deliberately kept them myself, but I realised there was other knowledge by police that I had them.
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