Fox’s claims on strike force rejected

AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald

By STEPHEN RYAN May 15, 2013

CLAIMS by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox that a strike force established to investigate allegations of sexual abuse cover-ups by the Catholic Church was a sham were ‘‘disgusting’’, ‘‘crazy’’ and had ‘‘destroyed’’ the reputations of police, a senior officer said yesterday.

Former Newcastle crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Brad Tayler, said every effort was made to investigate claims of concealment by members of the clergy, but the investigation was halted by a victim who refused to make a statement.

Mr Tayler, who has left the force, said suggestions by Mr Fox that Strike Force Lantle was a sham were made ‘‘by someone who had nothing to do [with] and had limited knowledge of what we were trying to do’’, the Special Commission of Inquiry heard.

When asked what his reaction was to claims that the strike force was set up to fail, Mr Tayler replied: ‘‘Frankly, I was disgusted and I’m still disgusted.’’

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