BROPHY AFFAIR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 172, 3 July 1936, Page 6

BROPHY AFFAIR.

NO IMPROPRIETY. Shielding Reputation Of Companions. POLICE-PRESS VENDETTA Press Association —Copyright. Melbourne. July 2. The report of Judge Macindoe, who inquired into the shooting of Superintendent John Brophy at Royal Park on May 22. was tabled in Parliament to-day. The report found no impropriety on the part of Mr. Brophy in taking two women when he went to meet an informer at the park. There was nothing immoral or improper in Mr. Brophy’s conduct.

Dcwling with the evidence of Sir Thomas Blarney. Commissioner of Police, the judge said that having regard to the nature and number of wounds he could not accept Sir Thomas Blarney’s statement that he believed the shooting was an accident when it was first reported to him. “I am forced to the conclusion,” said the judge, “that Sir Thomas Blarney was told the truth, that Mr. Brophy was held it]) and shot, and I believe that being jealous of the reputation of the force he commands he thought that its reputation might be endangered if the whole truth were disclosed.”

The judge commented upon contradictions in the evidence of reporters at interviews at which information regarding the shooting was sought. He did not believe Sir Thomas Blarney ever said no steps were being taken to investigate the shooting. The police were in possession of very facts which would lead to the identification of the criminal. He was satisfied Mr. Brophy’s original story of the accident was prompted by his desire tc safeguard the reputation of the two women who were with him when he was shot.

Just before the police inquiry report Was submitted in Parliament to-day Mr. MacKenzie (Labour) made a statement in which he referred to the vendetta between the Melbourne Press and the police. He said that since the inquiry certain Melbourne journalists were being shadowed by police officers. Mr. McKenzie said Sir Thomas Blarney in reply to a question earlier in the week admitted one journalist who was suspected of a certain offence had been placed under surveillance.

“It is. obvious,” said Mr. McKenzie, ‘‘that the suspicion was that tire journalist was obtaining information from certain members of the police force. The police have been camping on the tail of the journalist’s car, following it all over the suburbs. When the journalist became aware of the procedure he led the police on a hide and seek expedition all over Melbourne. It is a sinful waste of public money to take the police from their regular work for this sort of thing.”