Milly Dowler family lawyer in police 'clean-out' call

 

Milly Dowler was abducted and murdered by Levi Bellfield in 2002

A "root and branch clean-out" of police who sell confidential information is needed, according to the lawyer acting for Milly Dowler's family.

Mark Lewis said it "appeared" that officers had given information to the press.
In June it was revealed Milly Dowler's phone was hacked by the News of the World after her abduction in 2002.
A Surrey Police officer was taken off the investigation into her disappearance that same year.
A spokeswoman for Surrey Police said the force was helping the Metropolitan Police in the continuing investigation into links between the press and police.
'It's time' Mr Lewis said: "Certain officers appear to have given information out to the press and that doesn't seem to have been taken seriously enough by Surrey Police.
"They talk about one officer who was taken off the Milly Dowler inquiry, but they haven't said what happened to him, they haven't said whether that person is still there, they haven't said whether there are other investigations or have been other investigations.
"It's time for the police, not just the Surrey Police, but for all police forces to clean up their act."
Thirteen-year-old Milly disappeared as she walked home from school in Walton-on-Thames in 2002. Levi Bellfield was convicted of her murder in June 2011.
Last month, the prime minister announced a judge-led inquiry into phone hacking and the ethics of the press.

 

Mark Lewis said it was time for all police forces to clean up their act

 

Public hearings will begin in September and Lord Justice Leveson will report back within a year.
Mr Lewis said: "There ought to be a root and branch clean-out of the force of anyone who's been involved in giving out confidential information, sensitive information and information that relates to the investigation of crime."
A spokeswoman for Surrey Police said the detective was removed from the investigation following a discussion he had had with a retired police officer friend, where it was alleged he provided some details about the investigation.
"There was no evidence to suggest that any information was provided to the media," she said.
"We are currently assisting the Metropolitan Police as part of their ongoing investigation. Therefore we are unable to put all the facts out into the public domain at this time.
"Any detail, such as Surrey Police's knowledge or any contact with the News of the World, could be highly relevant to that investigation and could potentially undermine it.
"Therefore it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this time.''