A national newspaper yesterday reported that Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox had told the inquiry that the MP used the phrase when referring to police interfering in his own investigation of a paedophile priest.

But counsel assisting the inquiry, Julia Lonergan SC, is also reported to have told of a sworn statement in which the MP denied he used the phrase or that police had hindered or obstructed his investigation.

Mr Grant is scheduled to appear before the special commission this morning.

He declined to be interviewed until after giving evidence.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell announced in November the state government would establish a special commission of inquiry into matters raised by Detective Chief Inspector Fox on ABC Lateline.

Margaret Cunneen SC was appointed Special Commissioner to inquire into and report on matters relating to the police investigation of certain child sexual abuse allegations in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that in her opening address, Commissioner Cunneen said the diocese had a “very troubled history regarding issues of child protection and the sexual abuse of children”.

She referred to two convicted paedophile priests, Denis McAlinden and James Fletcher, who had committed a “reprehensible betrayal of faith” against “vulnerable and innocent children”.

Both men are deceased.

Detective Chief Inspector Fox has claimed he was told to stop investigating the two priests and that he first became suspicious of possible collusion between police and senior 

members of the church a decade ago.

The commission’s public hearings in the Newcastle Supreme Court will run until May 17, and from June 24 to July 12.

An information centre has been set up to give victims of the convicted priests and “relevant persons” the opportunity to speak confidentially with members of the team assisting Commissioner Cunneen.

She is due to provide a report regarding the inquiry on or before September 30 this year.