FOI Request to Thames Valley Police re the "communications blackout" at Harrowdown Hill on 18th July 2003

This post puts on record a Freedom of Information request made to Thames Valley Police on 21st May 2011.

Thames Valley Police did not disclose to the Hutton Inquiry that any type of "communications blackout" was imposed.

Further, the "communications blackout", if it occurred, took place during the period when the "secret helicopter flight" took place at Harrowdown Hill, including the intriguing "secret helicopter landing".

This post, The Death of David Kelly - The Secret Helicopter Landing of 18th July 2003, contains the text of my communication of 3rd April 2011 to the Attorney General on the matter.

Here is the text of the Freedom of Information request.

This is a Freedom of Information request.

Press reports indicate that a "communications blackout" was imposed at Harrowdown Hill on 18th July 2003. This information (if accurate) was not, so far as I'm aware, disclosed to the Hutton Inquiry.

By "communications blackout" I mean any request or requirement by Thames Valley Police (or other agency) that radio or other communications equipment of any type, e.g. that in the ambulance of Vanessa Hunt and Dave Bartlett, should not be used.

1. On 18th July 2003 which individuals, after logging out of the outer cordon were asked not to leave the area or otherwise prevented by Thames Valley Police (or other agency) from leaving the area of Harrowdown Hill and/or Longworth Village?

2. Was a "communications blackout" imposed at or close to Harrowdown Hill at any time on 18th July 2003?

3. If so, at what time did the "communications blackout" start? (If there was more than one "communications blackout", I ask for such information for each blackout period.)

4. At what time did the "communications blackout" finish? (If there was more than one "communications blackout", I ask for such information for each blackout period.)

5. Was the imposition of the "communications blackout" related to the presence in the vicinity of Harrowdown Hill related to the secret helicopter flight from around 10.25 to 11.00?

6. What was the purpose of each period of "communications blackout"?

7. On whose authority was the "communications blackout" imposed?

Thank you

(Dr) Andrew Watt