Theresa May today said police will be banned from enjoying “lavish lunches” and drinks with journalists.
The Home Secretary released new interim guidance from police chiefs that introduced a “blanket non-acceptability” of “gifts and hospitality” in all but the most trivial of cases.
In her appearance at the Leveson inquiry, Mrs May outlined the new rules by the Association of Chief Police Officers in the wake of criticism of Scotland Yard’s close ties with News International.
Concerns have been raised over expensive meals enjoyed by former assistant commissioners John Yates and Andy Hayman paid for by News of the World executives while the paper was under investigation for phone-hacking.
The guidance was outlined in a letter to Mrs May by Michael Cunningham, chief constable of Staffordshire Police. Mrs May told the judicial inquiry into the media and politicians that she “welcomed the proposals”, which also order officers to only talk to the media about aspects of policing for which they are specifically responsible.
