A reporter who became embroiled in a high profile press freedom case has lost her bid to win compensation from police.

Fifteen months ago Milton Keynes Citizen journalist Sally Murrer walked free from court after Thames Valley Police’s case against her for aiding and abetting misconduct in public office was thrown out by a judge.

The reporter lodged a compensation case for her 19-month ordeal at the hands of the force which has been rejected.

She told HTFP: “I read the solicitor’s letter and it made me so angry.

“I really would have settled for an apology, it would have felt like dirty money even if I gave it to charity but it feels like they’ve got away with it.

“We’ve got to have a meeting with our barrister to see if he is still willing to take this case. He had told me it was a very clear cut case so I’ve got to go back to meet with him. The solicitor who is dealing with this is outraged.”

Sally was accused of receiving leaked information from Mark Kearney, a detective sergeant with Thames Valley Police at the time, after their conversations in a car were secretly recorded.

She was stripped searched, spent a night in the cells and her mobile phone and laptop were seized.

The judge in the case ruled the evidence was inadmissible because it had been covertly gathered.

Thames Valley Police had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

Comments

stewart perkins (01/03/2010 10:09:45)
Sally’s case has been well publicised, and she has been treated disgracefully by the police. The police have a habit of never apologising and never admitting any errors, while being backed to the hilt by the establishment, so I wish Sally the very best of luck in continuing her case, if that is what she wishes to do. Perhaps she, or a representative, could consider appealing to fellow journalists for funds for legal help if that is a problem. I would be happy to donate.

Bill D Berg (01/03/2010 10:41:05)
When are people going to wake up to the facist police aided destruction of freedoms in this country, the fight in people has been either driven out by weak minded media telling lies, or the wilful evil suppression of truth by dictat …either way, good honest people need to rise up and mobilise before we sleepwalk into complete and utter ‘1984’