Senior officer suspected Nottingham attacks stories had been leaked to the press, public inquiry told

Detective superintendent speaks about media interestpublished at 12:04 GMT

12:04 GMT

Sanders has told the inquiry how on 15 June, two days after the attacks, his focus was “purely and squarely [on] dealing with a triple homicide”, and not “the other noise, if I can call it that”, going on to refer to the media reporting around the attacks.

He added after a media release had been shared, he was trying to “provide a structure” to how information could be received and shared.

In his decision log, shown to the inquiry, Sanders had noted a coordinated media release with the families affected would be required, adding it could have a “significant impact on the reputation of the constabulary”.

“It was obvious by this time that the media interest in the case was enormous. It made not just national news but international news,” he said.

Rachel Langdale KC said: “Did you feel
the need to communicate to the media what you were doing, rather than just
getting on with what you were doing?”

Sanders responded: “In terms of
the media strategy if I’m being perfectly honest, I left that with gold [the senior officer with overall strategic command].

“My
focus was purely and squarely in trying to secure preserve evidence.”