Lindt inquest: Andrew Scipione and Cath Burn were ‘hands off’ during terror siege

POLICE chief Andrew Scipione and his head of counter-terrorism, deputy commissioner Cath Burn, have declared they were totally hands off during the Lindt Cafe siege.

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POLICE chief Andrew Scipione and his head of counter-terrorism, Deputy Commissioner Cath Burn, have declared they were totally hands off during the Lindt Cafe siege.

Neither of them had anything to do with the management of the country’s first terrorist siege where the lives of 18 hostages were at risk, the inquest into the 2014 siege has been told today.

And nothing they could say would help the inquest, counsel for the police, Ian Freckelton QC, said.

Hands off ... Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn with Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

Both senior officers had nothing to do with the management of the country’s first terrorist siege.

Both of the top cops and Assistant Commissioner Jeff Loy — who was acting deputy commissioner at the time — have been asked to make statements to the inquest at the urging of lawyers for the families of murdered cafe manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson, who died after being hit by police bullet fragments.

Lindt siege gunman Man Monis.

Lindt manager Tori Johnson at the window of the cafe during the siege. Picture: Channel 7

Dr Freckelton told the inquest today the statements were being prepared and they were willing to give evidence but none of them had anything to do with management of the siege.

“They did not give any order, direction or provide any guidance or advice in respect of the conduct of the siege on the day,” Dr Freckelton said.

“They will say that in their statements.

“We cannot identify any forensic utility to you in hearing from them.”

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NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn.

Mr Loy was acting deputy commissioner while Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas was on sick leave in December 2014 after a long and bitter feud with Ms Burn.

Mr Scipione and Ms Burn had both left work hours before the siege came to a bloody end at 2.13am on December 15 when police stormed the cafe after Mr Johnson was shot dead by the gunman Man Monis.

Neither officer will say whether they returned to their homes or stayed in a city centre hotel, citing their reason as because the matter is before the coroner.

The inquest continues in Sydney.