NEWS > 01 December 2006

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ABC Online - Australia
01 December 2006

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SA Police Commissioner rejects

Reporter: Nance Haxton
MARK BANNERMAN: This afternoon South Australia's Police Commissioner Mal Hyde angrily rejected claims of police corruption presented by Charles White at the Dianne Brimble coronial inquest.

Mr Hyde says police officers cannot take part in other business dealings without permission, and he says no evidence was presented to support Charles White's claims that five South Australian policemen part-owned a nightclub or protected drug deals, as Nance Haxton reports from Adelaide.

NANCE HAXTON: The protected witness known only as Charles White has made alarming allegations at the Dianne Brimble inquest, that five South Australian police owned a nightclub in Adelaide, and protected drug deals in cooperation with motorcycle gangs.

Today Commissioner Mal Hyde revealed that preliminary investigations show no evidence to back-up Mr White's claims.

MAL HYDE: We have no evidence to suggest that police officers are involved in running this club that has any substance.

Now, we will continue to have an open mind about that, but the point I'm making to you today that the claims that were made by witness White aren't borne out by the records relating to who the licensees are, and they were not supported in any way by the witness today.

NANCE HAXTON: He says South Australian police are pressing for Mr White's return to South Australia for further questioning.

MAL HYDE: I have asked the counsel assisting and asked in the inquest to request that the witness White not be released, but be required to come back to give further evidence.

NANCE HAXTON: What sort of charges could be laid against Mr White in order for him to be questioned in Adelaide?

MAL HYDE: I think we're a long way away from really going down that track, and I don't think I'll answer that one.

NANCE HAXTON: Do you have any concerns about the court process that's allowing witnesses to make these claims?

MAL HYDE: I am disappointed in the way some things have been raised in the inquest, and I'm disappointed in the spin that's been put on those claims by some sections of the media.

NANCE HAXTON: Commissioner Hyde says police are not permitted to engage in other business without approval, and they would never be given permission to take part in such an establishment as a nightclub.

However, Mr Hyde admitted he could not rule out the possibility that police could be financially involved in such a business, without the force's knowledge.

MAL HYDE: Well, Adelaide's a small place. People are friends and relatives and next-door neighbours of many people.

You can speculate as much as you like about what sort of connections there might be between people here in Adelaide, and I don't think really you can take it any further than that.

We will continue to make enquiries, and if we are able to find anything of substance, we will pursue that as well. But at this stage, the point I'm making to you is that the witness had the opportunity today to support his claims with reliable material, and he was not able to do so.

MARK BANNERMAN: South Australian Police Commissioner Mal Hyde.

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Article sourced from

ABC Online - Australia01 December 2006

SA Police Commissioner rejects

EiP Comments:

ABC Online - Australia
01 December 2006