The Moyle Report (Press, 17 April 1978)

A police meeting involving Mr Burnside, Mr Walton, and Mr Moyle revealed tensions surrounding a statement made by Mr Moyle in Parliament regarding his past interactions with police. The meeting commenced with Mr Burnside expressing astonishment at the developments following statements made by Mr Moyle and Prime Minister Mr Muldoon. The police informed Mr Moyle that they could not confirm his assertion of never having been "picked up" by the police, given the ambiguity surrounding the term and the potential for misinterpretation. Mr Moyle sought clarity on the confidentiality of the discussions and stated he intended to explain a discrepancy in his prior statement to Parliament, noting that he consulted with Mr Rowling on how to address the issue. This related to an alleged incident involving security leaks from the Labour Party’s strategy committee, which had heightened concerns following the 'Jayes affair'. Mr Moyle admitted to being naïve regarding the situation, revealing he was supposed to meet an unknown individual outside a library to receive information about these leaks. Throughout the meeting, Mr Burnside reiterated that his narrative differed from that documented by police, emphasising that there were many interpretations of the term "picked up." He highlighted that if police corroborated Mr Moyle's statement, it could create a misleading narrative. Mr Moyle contended that he was not truly "picked up" by the police as suggested, and he insisted that his previous accounts fit with the facts of the situation. As the conversation progressed, the Commissioner pointed out that Mr Moyle had provided inconsistent explanations over time, raising questions regarding the integrity of his statements. The Commissioner subsequently noted the importance of only a select few having access to the complete police file on the matter. Mr Burnside and Mr Moyle debated the implications of Mr Moyle’s earlier claims in the House versus the records held by the police. Mr Moyle expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s comments related to the incident and confirmed he had never seen the police file in question. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of police information, while also acknowledging the foolishness of his actions in trying to gather sensitive information. The discussion turned to various interpretations of Mr Moyle's actions, with Mr Burnside affirming the complexities involved in the terminology utilised. Mr Moyle ultimately reiterated his stance that he had not been "picked up," and there was no further discussion about potential leaks involving other officers beyond the previously mentioned individuals. The meeting underscored the intricate relationship between political narratives, police practices, and the implications for those involved.

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