Last week I asked why it took the Met police so long to clear Sun reporter Rhodri Phillips. The same question can be asked about one of his colleagues, Chris Pollard.
He has now been told that he will not face any charges after being on bail for almost a year on suspicion of handling stolen goods and misusing a computer (aka hacking).
When arrested last September by officers from Operation Tuleta, Pollard's name did not emerge. He was described only as "a 31-year-old journalist".
The Times reports that the police investigation into Pollard centred on a memo he wrote about a mobile phone that he had never seen.
Pollard is quoted as saying: "I don't so much mind the fact of my arrest, although the basis of it was ridiculous. It was the way they have gone about it, the huge show of force. It was unnecessary."
Nine officers were reportedly involved in arresting him after an early morning raid on his one-bedroom flat.
So, once again, why did it take it take a year for Scotland Yard to conclude that Pollard was an innocent?
Hat tip: Fiona Hamilton, The Times
