Milly 'leak' detective removed

A detective investigating the murder of schoolgirl Milly Dowler was removed from the case for leaking information, Surrey Police confirmed today.

The unnamed officer was “given words of advice” and permanently taken off the probe in 2002 for telling a friend, a retired police officer, details about the investigation.

A force spokeswoman said today: “A Surrey Police detective constable was given words of advice and removed from working on the Operation Ruby (investigation into the murder of Milly Dowler) team in 2002 following concern raised by a colleague about the conduct of the officer.

“This related to the inappropriate disclosure of information about aspects of the investigation to a retired police officer friend. A serving colleague was told of the inappropriate disclosure by the person who had heard it, and immediately reported it to their senior management team.

“The following day, the officer, who was working for the major crime team at that time, received words of advice and was removed permanently from the inquiry.”

She said that there was no suggestion of any officer sharing information with the tabloid newspaper The News of the World.