At first I thought it was someone taking the Mickey out of the Australian Federal Police. But no it’s for real, believe it or not. The AFP actually issued a media release yesterday (you can read it in full below) in which they claimed that there has been no leaking by them in the Haneef case. And for good measure, the AFP thinks what Dr Haneef’s legal team did yesterday in releasing the second record of interview was unethical.

The AFP claims, in all seriousness, that its own – note there’s been no independent external investigation – inquiries have led it to the view that there has been “no unlawful disclosure of information by AFP members.” Oh really? So who has been leaking information about the Haneef investigation with a clear view to smearing Dr Haneef over the past month? If not the investigators then who?

It’s certainly not Dr Haneef’s lawyers.

And speaking of Dr Haneef’s lawyers how’s this for bully boy stuff from the AFP:

The continuing attempts by Dr Haneef’s defence team to use the media to run their case is both unprofessional and inappropriate and the AFP has raised this aspect with the Queensland Legal Services Commission.

Dr Haneef’s lawyers have acted ethically and responsibly throughout this matter, unlike the political masters of the AFP like Mr Ruddock and Mr Andrews. And since when has it been unethical or unprofessional or inappropriate to give the media a copy of your client’s record of interview?

In fact, if the AFP was serious about ethics and professionalism why doesn’t it pick on Mr Ruddock and Mr Andrews who have done nothing except to smear Dr Haneef ever since he was arrested?

It’s interesting to note that no senior AFP officer put his or her name to yesterday’s media release and there is no media contact name at the end of the release. Just as well given its bizarre and inaccurate content.

Media statement – Dr Haneef interview transcript The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is aware that Dr Haneef’s lawyers today released the transcript of his second interview with police on 13 and 14 July 2007.

Dr Haneef’s lawyers have been in possession of audio discs of the interview since 17 July and the AFP has complied with all of its legislative obligations under the Crimes Act 1914.

In cases where a transcript of an interview is produced by the AFP, it is provided to defence lawyers for the purpose of legal representation in court proceedings.

The continuing attempts by Dr Haneef’s defence team to use the media to run their case is both unprofessional and inappropriate and the AFP has raised this aspect with the Queensland Legal Services Commission.

The release of this confidential information has generated a great deal of misinformed and speculative reporting which has forced the AFP to take extraordinary steps to correct the public record.

AFP Professional Standards has investigated suspected leaks to the media and is satisfied that there has been no unlawful disclosure of information by AFP members. The matters identified as possible inappropriate conduct by officials of other agencies will be referred to the appropriate authorities.

The AFP has acted appropriately throughout the investigation.