Operation Motorman

“Operation Motorman” was the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”)’s three year investigation into the work of a private detective in Hampshire. The information seized included details of criminal records, registered keepers of vehicles, driving licence details and phone information including ex-directory phone numbers, itemised billing and mobile phone records. The evidence revealed literally thousands of section 55 offences. The detective and his associates were charged with four conspiracies – two to the unlawful obtaining of ex-directory telephone numbers and two to unlawful searches of vehicle registration numbers at the DVLA. The investigation did result in some convictions, but no sentence stronger than a conditional discharge for DPA offences.

Some 305 journalists were identified by the Information Commissioner as buying information from the private detective . The Daily Mail was the main media user of his services in the period investigated, with some 58 of its journalists identified as requesting 952 transactions. Also named with the tabloid press were quality nationals, such as the Observer, and magazines, such as Marie Claire. It is only fair to point out, however, that the titles may have had public interest defences.

<< Back