Mystery text message from top cop uncovered at Sydney siege inquest
ON THE night of the Sydney siege, Catherine Burn got a text message from her boss and then emailed it to herself.
A SHOCK development has come to light at the inquest into the Lindt Cafe siege after a missing text message sent from the NSW police commissioner to his deputy was uncovered.
Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn, who is also the state’s head of counter-terrorism, has taken to the stand for her second day of evidence at the inquest into the deaths arising from the 2014 Sydney siege.
Her testimony was delayed this morning as it was revealed a text message sent from Mr Scipione to Ms Burn, which she then emailed to herself on the night of the siege at 10.57pm, had been uncovered for the first time before it was tendered as evidence.
Counsel assisting Jeremy Gormly SC asked Ms Burn to read the text message out loud at the inquest.
“I’ve had a quick chance to talk to the SSG (Special Services Group) team that were forward tonight and it’s apparent we should prepare a fresh bid for any new equipment that is necessary,” Ms Burn read.
“Can you please get advice from Mal as to any electronic imaging /audio intelligence gathering equipment we may need for the future … I will need this soon in order to make sure we are appropriately prepared for the future. I’m happy to discuss in the morning.
“Thanks for your hard work today, see you bright and early in the morning, regards Andrew.”
It has not yet been revealed when Mr Scipione sent the message.
Ms Burn said she had no recollection of receiving the text message from Mr Scipione or then emailing it to herself but accepted it was legitimate. She said she did not know why previous searches by “IT” and at least one conducted by herself had not located the email in question.
Police counsel Ian Freckleton QC, said the legal team had only been made aware of “the document this morning”.
Ms Burn said it “was a bit of a shock”.
“All I know is the document was identified last night and brought to attention this morning,” she said.
NSW Coroner Michael Barnes said the intention of calling the state’s most senior police to the stand was to determine if they “intruded” into the operational area of the police response, or failed to do so when they should have.
The families of slain hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson had also demanded the senior police give evidence.
Ms Burn and Mr Scipione had clocked off around 10.30pm, about four hours before the deadly siege was brought to an end at 2.13am the following morning.
Ms Burn yesterday dodged questions from counsel assisting as to whether or not she had gone home in the final hours of the siege.
Counsel for Ms Dawson’s family Philip Boulten SC put it to Ms Burn that “the day of the Lindt Cafe siege was the biggest terrorist incident (she had) ever been exposed to in (her) career”.
“That day was a day of leadership for you, wasn’t it?” Mr Boulten asked.
“You understood everything you said was of importance to the people you were leading. What you say, what you do is obviously going to be influential.”
Ms Burn: “Possibly, yes.”
Ms Burn said her role was not operational.
“While understanding this was an extremely significant terrorism event, there was also a protocol that had been activated at that point,” she said.
“I may have command over police commander (Mark) Murdoch generally, but when it came to the actual management and response of the siege, police commander Murdoch was the one who was in charge.
“I had to take a step back from everyday policing with commander Murdoch, advice and guidance etc took an a different role.
“One thing being a police commander I do know about, is it’s really important to let the police commander do their job and not interfere.
“You can’t have the police commander worrying or second guessing. They have to be the ones knowing they’re making the decisions. I was there to provide support.”
Ms Burn defended her decision to step down from her role for the day and hand over to acting deputy commissioner Jeff Loy around 10pm.
“It was extremely tense. Everyone who was involved understands that. I don’t think It was ‘oh let’s just hunker down at all’,” she said.
“There was a handover by the police commanders at a particular point in time. My understanding leading up to that handover was that the threat was still extreme (but) the threat had not significantly increased.
“We understand there were some times when hostages escaped which increased the risk somewhat, then it stabilised a little bit.
“But when I had left the risk had not significantly changed. We know the threat was extreme. But there had not been an escalation of activity that was extreme.”
Mr Scipione is expected to give evidence after Ms Burn.
The inquest continues.