Diary details released by the Metropolitan Police show that senior police officers met personally with senior editorial staff from the News of the World eight times in the last two years alone and a further five times in the previous three years. The tally excludes any general crime briefings or encounters at social events put on by third parties.

Dee Doocey, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Policing Spokesperson, has reacted to this revelation saying,

I find it quite extraordinary that when allegations about illegal phone hacking relating to the News of the World were still unresolved that the Met Commissioner thought it was appropriate to be regularly dining with the News of the World and News Corporation. Imagine the outcry there would be if the Commissioner was seen dining with a member of the public who was the subject of a police investigation!

I will be raising this issue at the Metropolitan Police Authority meeting on Thursday.

The full details of the meetings are:

Criteria:

• Must be meetings whose purpose was for MPS officers to meet specifically with News of the World.
• The MPS holds regular briefings and presentations with the Crime Reporters Association, which are events attended by representatives from all national media, including journalists from the News of the World – these are not included in the information provided.
• Social events at which News of the World journalists or executives may have been present are not included as they are not hosted by NoW.
• Timeframe is 5-year period, January 2006 to present

2006
September – Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson – dinner with Deputy Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio

2007
November – Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson – dinner with Deputy Editor, News of the World and Dick Fedorcio

2008
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

2009
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

2010

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