Leveson inquiry: News of the World got Milly Dowler’s phone number from school friends

Details of exchanges between police and the Sunday tabloid over the apparent hacking of the murdered schoolgirl’s phone were released by Surrey Police.

An individual from the paper admitted in April 2002 that they had accessed Milly’s voicemail, according to the force.

The information emerged with the publication of a letter from Surrey Police to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. It describes frantic discussions over a story the NotW was planning to run, claiming that Milly had contacted a recruitment agency.

A representative from the tabloid is said to have played police a recording of a voicemail left by the recruitment agency.

The letter says that on 13 April 2002: “The press officer spoke to [name redacted] and asked him why he was so convinced that the message on Milly’s voicemail was not a hoax.

“[Name redacted] response was that the NotW had got Milly’s phone number and pin from schoolchildren.”

A press officer from Surrey Police is said to have spoken to an individual from the NotW about the recruitment agency story – which initially suggested Milly may be alive – on 20 April, 2002. By this time officers had established that the voicemail left for the murdered schoolgirl had actually been intended for someone else.

Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee – which has also investigated phone hacking – said: “Had they acted in 2002 or had Sussex Police flagged this up in their review of Operation Ruby, it may have prevented the culture of hacking becoming endemic at News of the World.”

A statement issued on behalf of the Dowler family said: “The release of the Surrey Police statement is a further reminder of the relationship between that force and the News of the World.

“Current investigations are ongoing as to the propriety of that relationship.”

Surrey Police Deputy Chief Constable Jerry Kirby stressed that their internal investigation is not yet complete.

Labour MP Chris Bryant, who received damages from News Group Newspapers last week after it was discovered his phone was hacked, said: “Given what Surrey Police have now admitted to knowing back in 2002, it is extraordinary that they never sought to investigate the self-evident criminality and distasteful intrusion involved in hacking Milly Dowler’s phone.

“Surrey Police should make clear now what meetings were held with the News of the World at that time, who attended and what was discussed.

“It is difficult not to conclude that the police not only showed a callous disregard for the feelings of the Dowler family, but turned a blind eye to the conduct of the News of the World. ”

A News International spokesman said: “The matter is part of a criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police and those who sanctioned or conducted this activity should rightly be held accountable for their actions.”