Recommendation DM-8: Guidance on disclosing material to journalists
From The Report of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, published 15 June 2021.
Recommendation
Guidance should be issued by the Metropolitan Police to enable officers to determine whether it is appropriate, necessary and lawful to disclose investigative material to journalists. That guidance should include a requirement to record by whom, to whom and when any such evidence was disclosed, who authorised the disclosure, the reasons for the disclosure of the material, and the express conditions upon which the information is disclosed.
In brief (written by this site)
The Panel asked for guidance on disclosing investigative material to journalists. In March 2022, the Metropolitan Police Service stated that the recommendation was complete, having agreed guidance for its General Investigation Policy, prepared a roll-out plan, and updated recruit training (Metropolitan Police Service response, Mar 2022; Metropolitan Police Service, Mar 2022). In its progress report, it explained that the guidance provides methods to record contact, while potential amendments to Authorised Professional Practice (APP) remained under review with the College of Policing (Metropolitan Police Service, Mar 2022).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 1 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
- New guidance agreed for the MPS General investigation Policy.
- Clearly outlines the exceptional circumstances and the legal considerations when investigative material could be shared with journalists.
- Delivery plan prepared for roll out of amended guidance.
Delivery
Metropolitan Police Service says completed (22 March 2022)
The MPS accepted this recommendation.
New guidance has been developed for the MPS General Investigation Policy (Guidance on the exceptional circumstances that investigative material is disclosed to a media related third party).
The new guidance provides officers and staff with a definition of ‘investigative material’, the methods to record the contact and signposts them to the National Decision Model, Code of Ethics and MPS Information Code of Conduct to remind them of their legal obligations. It is accepted the disclosure of investigative material is quite exceptional and must be driven by a strong policing purpose.
It includes guidance that must be followed when considering the disclosure of investigative material to any person associated with the print media, television, radio, online platforms, social media networks (examples are journalists and bloggers).
The implementation programme commenced at the beginning of the year. The new guidance has been circulated across the MPS. The inclusion of this guidance to officer recruit training and Professional Development Days has been completed and will be part of the training programme through this year.
Whilst the Metropolitan Police Service are leading on this recommendation, the College of Policing are coordinating with the MPS as there is potential for amendments to the APP. This remains under review for national consideration.
Current status: Complete
Site note: From the Metropolitan Police Service's report "Operation Drayfurn: The Metropolitan Police Service response to the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel Report", the section headed "Recommendation N Activity" for this recommendation, including the status line the report prints at its end. The report is dated only "(2022)"; the Home Office published it on GOV.UK on 22 March 2022 with the Commissioner's covering letter of 17 March 2022, so the row carries 22 March 2022, as the Recommendations Annex published with it does.
Source
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- Metropolitan Police Service
Response, delivery statement