Police Commissioner Karen Webb’s ousted spin doctor Steve Jackson earned $20,000 without working a day

Police Commissioner Karen Webb has backflipped on a controversial decision to appoint a veteran journalist Steve Jackson to be her new media chief.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and her now departed spin doctor Steve Jackson.

A veteran journalist will be paid out more than $20,000 after Police Commissioner Karen Webb backflipped on a decision to appoint him as her new media chief.

Steve Jackson was just 10 days ago named the new lead spin doctor for embattled Commissioner Webb, following the sudden sacking of her former aide Liz Deegan.

But that appointment led to a week-and-a-half of hysteria resulting in NSW Police releasing a statement on Thursday afternoon announcing Mr Jackson would not be starting in the role.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Mr Jackson is entitled to receive four weeks pay for the job he signed a contract for but never started, which has an annual salary of more than $300,000-a-year.

Mr Jackson refused to comment on the situation when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

He replaced fellow former News Corp journalist and editor Liz Deegan in the role.

NSW Police said in a statement: “The NSW Police Force has ceased the temporary appointment for the role of the Executive Director, Public Affairs Branch”.

“To best serve the interests of the NSW Police and community, the Executive Director, Public Affairs Branch needs to be able to fulfil the duties of the role free from external distractions and ongoing media attention.

“The current arrangements for the role will continue for the time being.”

The Daily Telegraph contacted Mr Jackson, who declined to comment.

Minister for Police Yasmin Catley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

But it was then revealed the former Channel Seven producer and News Corp journalist had been suggested for the role by Police Minister Yasmin Catley’s office, where Mr Jackson has a friend in Ms Catley’s chief of staff Ross Neilson.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley and Premier Chris Minns’ office both referred inquiries to a statement from a government spokesman who stated “the issue is a matter for police”.

A spokesperson for Premier Chris Minns said “this is a matter for police”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

When appointing a new media adviser to help her with the press created another headline-making drama for Commissioner Webb, it led to tensions between the Police HQ and the Police Minister’s office.

Mr Jackson had met with Commissioner Webb and signed a six-month contract for the position, which has an annual salary of more than $300,000.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb talking to the media after an interview with Ray Hadley on 2GB. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

But as Commissioner Webb explained in an interview with 2GB’s Ray Hadley earlier this week, there are ongoing vetting checks that are carried out even after signing to a civilian position with the NSW Police.

“So when someone is first appointed it’s a baseline check,” Ms Webb said to 2GB’s Ray Hadley on Monday morning.

“What happens after that, the person ticks a box to say that they are happy to have security vetting which is more thorough.

“So we’re in that process now.”

But on Thursday afternoon the announcement came that he would not be starting in the role.

Police officer Kirsty Heyward has been in the role of Executive Director of Public Affairs ever since Ms Deegan’s sacking and will continue in the interim.

Shadow police spokesman Paul Toole, in a statement, said: “In yet another display of poor judgement by embattled Police Minister Yasmin Catley, her chief of staff’s hand-picked media chief for Commissioner Webb has been dumped before he started”.

“It is the second media chief to get the chop in order to protect Catley who simply isn’t

up to being Police Minister,” he said.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]