Image: The Who's Pete Townshend, who (it is claimed) would "never have been arrested" were it not for police leaks to the press.
Operation Ore caused a press sensation when it began in 2002, probing what was thought to be a huge secret network of child pornography users. It ended up mired in controversy about the unjust targeting of innocent men, some of whom lost access to their children while others – some reports say as many as 30 – took their own lives.
Press coverage was an important aggravating factor. The relationships between reporters and police officers was, and perhaps still is, a matter of concern. No one in the press has ever been called to account, and if Leveson 2 does not happen they never will.
