News Ltd criticised as police chief cleared

[Swagman]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

News Ltd criticised as police chief cleared
RAFAEL EPSTEIN
June 12, 2010

VICTORIA'S police watchdog yesterday cleared the Chief Commissioner, Simon Overland, of any wrongdoing over the leaked details of a crime investigation as details emerged of alleged attempts by Rupert Murdoch's media empire to intimidate law enforcement agencies.

The Office of Police Integrity's director, Michael Strong, issued a statement saying he believed Mr Overland acted lawfully when he told his then media director about intelligence that came from covertly taped phone calls.

A series of controversial articles in the Murdoch-owned Australian newspaper this week claimed Mr Overland's conversation undermined an investigation into the 2003 murder of a prostitute, Shane Chartres-Abbott. But Mr Strong said Mr Overland acted within the law, ''for a purpose connected with an investigation'', in conveying covert information to a trusted confidante.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/news-ltd-criticised-as-police-chief-cleared-20100611-y3lk.html