• About
    • Ethics policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Ownership, funding and corrections
    • Complaints procedure
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Newsletter
Brighton and Hove News
22 September, 2023
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Community
  • Arts and Culture
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Food and Drink
  • Sport
    • Brighton and Hove Albion
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Community
  • Arts and Culture
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Food and Drink
  • Sport
    • Brighton and Hove Albion
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Brighton and Hove News
No Result
View All Result
Home 999

Police inspector faces hearing for leaking stories to Brighton reporter

by Jo Wadsworth
Wednesday 9 Dec, 2015 at 3:47PM
A A
1
Police inspector faces hearing for leaking stories to Brighton reporter

A Sussex Police inspector is facing a disciplinary hearing on Monday accused of a catalogue of breaches of police protocol, including leaking a series of stories to The Argus’s former crime reporter.

Lee Lyons
Inspector Lee Lyons is also alleged to have phoned prostitutes while on duty, put details of operations on Facebook, emailed police documents home, and been rude to colleagues during an operation in Wales, including throwing a paper plate at a woman working in the canteen.

The hearing will be told that he formed relationships with two reporters, one of whom the News understands to be Anna Roberts, who joined the Argus in August 2010, and was later promoted to crime reporter, a post she held until she left in May 2014.

Lee Lyons is accused of leaking several stories to her from November 2011 onwards, including details of the robbery of a Newhaven taxi driver, an assault in Lewes and a teenager who died suddenly in the street in Bexhill.

The first text exchange detailed in the charges happened on 20 November, 2011: “you had a conversation by text with her in which she told you she had just been chastised by the (Sussex Police) Press Office for not following procedure and failing to reveal her source regarding an exclusive report by her.

“You texted, ‘Ask them about the taxi driver robbery in Newhaven instead!’ You added, ‘Not heard from me, of course.’

“You then disclosed details of the incident stating, ‘…About 2ish maybe. Four suspects used knife assaulted driver and had £100 away.’

The story appeared on the Argus website the following day under Ms Robert’s byline.

He is also alleged to have leaked a string of stories about policing in Battle and Hastings, where he was based, to a second local reporter, including crimes and details of force restructures.

And he is also charged with sending details of police operations to BBC producers, including the operational order for the Pride event in Brighton.

The journalism industry news website Press Gazette has questioned how Sussex Police obtained details of the text message exchanges, in the light of other forces using powers to seize journalists’ mobile phone records to investigate leaks.

It says: “Over the last four years at least 82 journalists have had their call records viewed by police forces in order to find their sources. This is the first time a police force has published details of the content of a journalist’s text messages, to Press Gazette’s knowledge.”

However, police denied that journalists’ phone records had been seized as part of the enquiry. A spokesman said: “Sussex Police became aware of contact with journalists as a result of examination of devices owned by Sussex Police and analysis of Lee Lyons’s personal devices, which were obtained with the necessary legal permissions.

“The investigation has not required or involved any access to records of any other parties.”

Inspector Lyons’ hearing will take place at 2.30pm on Monday at the Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes. This will be the force’s first such hearing to be held in public.

Insp Lyons was suspended from his post last year following an investigation into leaks to the media. He is now hoping to set up a bookshop in a former lingerie store in Battle and has launched a Crowdfunder campaign to raise the necessary funds.

 

ShareTweetShareSendSendShare

Comments 1

  1. Z Cars says:
    8 years ago

    Inspector Lee Lyons was dismissed today with immediate effect (1511 hrs) because his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour. He himself did not attend, having admitted all 21 allegations before the hearing, which was short.

    Though he had given good service since he started in 2001, he had not heeded management advice during the course of the allegations from August 2012 onwards concerning the boundaries of public service and private life.

    There were approx. 11 people at the hearing, mainly from the press or police but a few (approx. 4) from the public.

    No members of the BBC TV series “Cuffs” script writing team were present.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Most read

Brighton pub plans roof terrace for drinkers to avoid smokers

Small firms snub council’s graffiti team

Councillors may seek power to impose rent controls

Brighton and Hove Albion to be given the Freedom of the City

Action plan to tackle weeds should be ready by new year

Brighton beach rape suspect hunted by police

Boots is still in business say bosses

Police inspector faces hearing for leaking stories to Brighton reporter

Unauthorised driveway must be turned back into garden, council rules

Mods and rockers plot seafront meet up – for charity

Arts and Culture

  • All
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Food and Drink
Trashy Rock’n’Roll & Punk Rock fans this Brighton gig is for you!

Trashy Rock’n’Roll & Punk Rock fans this Brighton gig is for you!

22 September 2023
Trigger Discipline intrigue punters at Brighton gig

Trigger Discipline intrigue punters at Brighton gig

21 September 2023
Dexys bring their unique brand of soul to the Dome

Dexys bring their unique brand of soul to the Dome

20 September 2023
Richard Dawson to play concert in Brighton Church

Richard Dawson to play concert in Brighton Church

20 September 2023
Load More

Sport

  • All
  • Brighton and Hove Albion
  • Cricket
Not a tragedy – but Albion learn Europa League lesson

Not a tragedy – but Albion learn Europa League lesson

by Tim Hodges
21 September 2023
0

Albion lost a pulsating, enthralling and dramatic first ever European competitive fixture. Two penalties, a host of yellow cards and...

Manager of Brighton and Hove Albion’s women team dismissed after allegations

Half time with Hodges – Brighton and Hove Albion 1 AEK Athens 2

by Tim Hodges
21 September 2023
1

Brighton have fallen behind twice in the first half of their first Europa League fixture. Djibril Sidibe scored the opener...

Europa League Group B Match Day 1 – Brighton and Hove Albion v AEK Athens

Europa League Group B Match Day 1 – Brighton and Hove Albion v AEK Athens

by Tim Hodges
21 September 2023
0

If you are like us, we have stared longingly at the headline. Igor Julio make his Albion debut and Ansu...

Sussex come up short against Middlesex in County Championship

Sussex skittled out for 100 at Derby

by Nigel Gardner - ECB Reporters Network
21 September 2023
0

Brooke Guest had a day to remember as Derbyshire ran through Sussex in the LV=Insurance Division Two County Championship match...

Load More
December 2015
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Nov   Jan »
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy
  • Complaints
  • Ownership, funding and corrections
  • Ethics
  • T&C

© 2023 Brighton and Hove News

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Opinion
  • Arts and Culture
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Sport
    • Cricket
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Contact

© 2023 Brighton and Hove News

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.