Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between police forces in England and Wales and journalists; and what discussions they have had with those police forces in this regard.

The College of Policing publishes guidance in the form of Authorised Professional Practice designed to assist those working in police forces who engage with the media. It takes account of the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry in 2012 and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services 2011 report on police relationships with the media and other parties.

The Leveson Inquiry made eight recommendations (68 and 75-81) concerning the press and the police, focused on providing greater transparency and openness. These were accepted by the Government, the College of Policing and the then Association of Chief Police Officers (superseded by the National Police Chiefs’ Council). All the recommendations have been addressed.