News of The World Phone Hacking Scandal [Merged]

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I know this is all important etc etc but I'm getting really really bored of it being in the news all the time

I agree, although better than the Daily Mail keep wanking over the likes of Katie Price and TOWIE people etc.

[Omah]

The culture committee was split six to four with Tory members refusing to endorse the report and branding it "partisan".

No surprise there .....

[arista]

Its a Conclusion
but the point is this problem
gos back to Blair & his Doomed New Labour

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

News Corp acknowledges "significant wrongdoing" at NotW and is reviewing report: "We will respond shortly"

Ofcom issue a statement: "We note the publication of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee report, which we are reading with interest. Ofcom has a duty under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to do so. Ofcom is continuing to assess the evidence that may assist it in discharging these duties. As part of this we are considering the Committee report."

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17917276

Since January 2007 - when the News of the World's royal editor, Clive Goodman, was jailed and its editor Andy Coulson resigned - the claim that this was the work of "one rogue reporter" always seemed far-fetched.

Now the Culture, Media and Sport Committee has demolished it.

What was even more remarkable was how long the story withstood all attempts to knock it down - particularly in the light of evidence that has since emerged at the committee and the Leveson Inquiry that so many people knew for so long that it was untrue.

The "rogue reporter" claim was repeated year after year by News International executives in the teeth of investigations by the Guardian, by lawyers for the victims of phone hacking and by MPs on the committee - not to mention less diligent inquiries by the police and the Press Complaints Commission.

In an earlier report on phone hacking in 2010, the committee accused News International of "collective amnesia" and "deliberate obfuscation" and said it was "inconceivable" that no one else at the newspaper knew what was going on.

But the MPs said they had no firm evidence and News International accused them of innuendo and exaggeration.

Now the committee's follow-up report sets out how it believes it was misled, and how often - and why the "one rogue reporter" story was far-fetched in the first place.

In paragraph 38 it explains that, in the court case that led to their jailing, Clive Goodman and the private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jointly charged with accessing the voicemails of three employees of the royal household.

But significantly, it says: "Glenn Mulcaire alone faced charges of accessing the voicemails of five further people: the publicist Max Clifford, sports agent Skylet Andrew, Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor, politician Simon Hughes and model Elle MacPherson.

"As none of these five individuals was connected to the royal family, none would have been of journalistic interest to Clive Goodman, the newspaper's Royal Editor.

"As he and Glenn Mulcaire had pleaded guilty, however, neither gave evidence in court so there was no opportunity to test the newspaper and News International's 'one rogue reporter' stance at the time."

Following his jailing, Mr Goodman was dismissed and the report says he "responded by initiating an appeal against his dismissal on the grounds that his activities had been known about, and supported, by various senior members of staff at the News of the World".

"Specifically, he stated that: 'This practice [phonehacking] was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by the editor'."

The famous "For Neville" email also suggested that phone hacking was more widespread than had been claimed, says the committee.

It concludes that it was misled by News International's then chief executive Les Hinton, the company's legal manager Tom Crone and by Colin Myler, who succeeded Andy Coulson as editor of the News of the World, with a brief to improve standards.

The three executives have issued statements denying the report's allegations.

Mr Hinton said he was "shocked and disappointed" by the claims he had misled Parliament and said the report's conclusions about him were "unfounded, unfair and erroneous".

Mr Crone said they "lacked foundation".

Mr Myler said he stood by his evidence to the committee and had "always sought to be accurate and consistent".

But a News Corporation statement said "hard truths had emerged from the select committee report" and "some of our employees misled the select committee in 2009".

I guess the 3 will go to their graves maintaining their "innocence" .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17942013

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks will give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry on Friday 11 May, the inquiry has said.

Mrs Brooks was the News of the World editor when voicemails of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's mobile phone were allegedly intercepted.

This will, presumably, be one of her first public appearances since :

Rebekah Brooks becomes a mother

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012...becomes-mother

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and her husband have become parents by a surrogate mother.

Scarlett Anne Mary Brooks was born on Wednesday afternoon at The Portland private hospital in central London, according to the spokesman for the former tabloid editor.

Brooks and her husband, former racehorse trainer Charlie Brooks, spent five years trying to conceive, including through IVF, before deciding to use a surrogate.

The surrogate mother has not been named and wishes to remain anonymous.

[Kizzy]

The truth will out...She did not become a mother, she bought a child.

[arista]

Originally Posted by kizzy

The truth will out...She did not become a mother, she bought a child.

Another Madonna
then



Sign Of The Times

[michael21]

Originally Posted by arista

Another Madonna
then



Sign Of The Times

i thought you like the sun

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18062485

Rebekah Brooks and her husband, Charlie, will be told later if they are to be charged with perverting the course of justice.

A solicitor for the couple said they would be informed shortly before 10:00 BST, when they answer police bail.

An announcement on the former News International chief executive and her husband would then be made public.

The BBC understands five others will also be told whether they are to face charges over the phone-hacking scandal.

It's a toss-up .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18071800

Rebekah Brooks, her husband Charlie and four other people are being charged with perverting the course of justice as part of the phone hacking inquiry.

Confirmation of the decision came from Alison Levitt, QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions overseeing CPS decision-making, and all potential prosecutions, in relation to the ongoing phone hacking inquiries and related matters.

Miss Levitt said she was making a statement "in the interests of transparency and accountability to explain the decision to charge".

She said the CPS received a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police on 27 March 2012 in relation to seven suspects:

• Rebekah Brooks;

• Charles Brooks;

• Cheryl Carter - Mrs Brooks' personal assistant;

• Mark Hanna - head of security at News International;

• Paul Edwards - Mrs Brooks' chauffeur, who was employed by News International;

• Daryl Jorsling and a seventh suspect - both of whom provided security for Mrs Brooks supplied by News International.

Miss Levitt said: "All the evidence has now carefully been considered.

"Applying the two-stage test in the code for Crown prosecutors I have concluded that in relation to all suspects except the seventh, there is sufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction.

"I then considered the second stage of the test, and I have concluded that a prosecution is required in the public interest in relation to each of the other six.

"All seven suspects have this morning been informed of my decisions.

"They are all due to answer their bail at police stations later today. When they do so, they will be charged.

"Following charge, these individuals will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on a date to be determined.

"No further action will be taken against the seventh suspect.

"May I remind all concerned that these six individuals now will be charged with criminal offences and that each has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

I'll bet Rebekah ain't happy .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18062485

Rebekah Brooks and her husband, Charlie said: "We have this morning been informed by the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions that we are to be charged with perverting the course of justice."

They added: "After the further unprecedented posturing of the CPS we will respond later today after our return from the police station."

They ain't happy, then .....

[Omah]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...f-justice.html

The charges include conspiring to conceal material from Scotland Yard detectives, conspiring to remove seven boxes of material from the archive of News International and conspiring to conceal documents, computers and other electronic equipment from detectives.

Anyone charged with the offence of perverting the course of justice can only be tried in a crown court, where the maximum sentence for those found guilty is life imprisonment.

A TV 'expert' says that "life" has never been awarded, but jail terms of months and years are common.

However, it will be at least a year before anyone's banged up .....

[Livia]

Originally Posted by kizzy

The truth will out...She did not become a mother, she bought a child.

Dislike her for what she's done, by all means, but really... that's a step too far. I'm no Rebecca Brooks fan, but I understand they tried for years to have a child, and underwent IVF. For a woman who already has kids to say say "she did not become a mother" is a bit shocking. I've never had a child, but then I've also never beaten, abused or murdered one either as some "natural" mothers do.

[Sticks]

A lot of this sounded like actions taken to protect sources which is a principal right in journalism?

This is more like a witch hunt.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Sticks

A lot of this sounded like actions taken to protect sources which is a principal right in journalism?

This is more like a witch hunt.

Of course more is to come.
Be good when its over
as it takes up the News to much
more than it needs to, infact.

[Sticks]

Originally Posted by Omah

A TV 'expert' says that "life" has never been awarded, but jail terms of months and years are common.

But maybe this time the Bullingdon Club set will ensure Whole Life tariffs will be handed out to make an example of them all.

The reporting of the hacking of Milly Dowler's phone will mean whatever jury is picked, after the trial they will unanimously vote guilty in five seconds flat. In fact they do not need to hear any evidence, let alone any rubbish from the defence. The way things have gone, expect the jury, during the defence presentations to stick their fingers in their ears, shut their eyes and go "la la la, I can't hear you"

And of course this time Life will mean life as all appeals will be denied

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Sticks

A lot of this sounded like actions taken to protect sources which is a principal right in journalism?

This is more like a witch hunt.

Nah, witches are at the bottom of the pecking order, Bekka Brooks is at the top and should have the decency to take the buck when it's passed to her - I hope she gets 10 years .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18075775

Conspiring to pervert the course of justice is a serious crime.

In practice the sentencing range is huge because it comes down to the severity of the offence and the nature of any cover-up.

In one recent case, a defendant was jailed for three years for concealing evidence in a fatal accident.

Harsh, but fair .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18075775

Rebekah Brooks has expressed anger after she was charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice over the phone-hacking inquiry.

Mrs Brooks said the decision was unjust and she was angry "those closest to me have been dragged into this unfairly".

On 13 June, she will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

In a statement delivered outside her solicitor's London office, while standing next to her racehorse trainer husband, Mrs Brooks questioned whether the decision to bring charges "was made on a proper, impartial assessment of the evidence".

She went on: "One day, the details of this case will emerge and people will see today as nothing more than an expensive sideshow, a waste of public money as a result of an unjust and weak decision.

"I was the editor of the News of the World, I was the editor of the Sun and chief executive. Even News International's harshest critics can't wish to see, today, people with no involvement with the central issues being treated like this and being involved like this."

Methinks she doth protest too much .....

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Sticks

But maybe this time the Bullingdon Club set will ensure Whole Life tariffs will be handed out to make an example of them all.

The reporting of the hacking of Milly Dowler's phone will mean whatever jury is picked, after the trial they will unanimously vote guilty in five seconds flat. In fact they do not need to hear any evidence, let alone any rubbish from the defence. The way things have gone, expect the jury, during the defence presentations to stick their fingers in their ears, shut their eyes and go "la la la, I can't hear you"

And of course this time Life will mean life as all appeals will be denied

I agree mostly, I think any jury will automatically be looking negatively at Rebekah Brooks in particular,it will be really hard to alter any likely strong feelings they have and if at her trial she employs the selective amnesia that seems to run through most senior staff at News International then any chance of an unbiased trial is unlikely as far as I'm concerned.

Not that I hold much sympathy for her in particular myself,she has likely been behind many sort of witch hunts,rightly or wrongly against prominant people in the past just to get striking headlines for papers she was editing.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18445897

The press and the prime minister, forced to live together, were today effectively on trial together.

David Cameron swapped the comfort of Downing Street, where magically doors open for him and he's addressed as prime minister, for a long and lonely walk into the Royal Courts of Justice where he was cross-examined for hour after long hour by a lawyer who called him plain Mr Cameron.

Speaking about what he called the "permanent battle" of communicating in the 24/7 media age he looked at ease.

Questioned though about his relationship with the Murdochs, with his friend Rebekah Brooks, his hiring of Andy Coulson and his decision to give Jeremy Hunt responsibility for judging the BSkyB bid he looked tense, edgy, uncomfortable and again and again said he couldn't recall events.

There was no single new fact that fundamentally changes our understanding of what happened.

There were though a series of impressions which the prime minister is very unlikely to welcome.

If Cameron's memory is that bad then he should seek help .....

I hope someone is cross-checking all these "stories" .....

Or maybe the lid will be lifted by the Brooks-Wade perverting trial .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18961228

Eight people, including Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson, will face a total of 19 charges relating to phone hacking, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

The two ex-News of the World editors will be charged in connection with the accessing of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone messages.

They are among seven of the paper's former staff facing charges of conspiring to intercept communications.

The CPS said the charges related to 600 alleged victims between 2000 and 2006.

The revelation that 13-year-old Milly's phone had been hacked by the News of the World after she went missing in Surrey in 2002 led to the closure of the Sunday tabloid newspaper in July last year.

Mrs Brooks, who is also a former chief executive of the paper's publisher News International, faces three charges relating to the alleged accessing of phones belonging to Milly and former Fire Brigades Union boss Andrew Gilchrist, CPS legal adviser Alison Levitt QC said in a statement.

Mr Coulson, the prime minister's former communications chief, will face four charges linked to accusations of accessing the phone messages of Milly, former Labour home secretaries David Blunkett and Charles Clarke, and Calum Best, the son of the late footballer George Best.

In a statement, Mrs Brooks said: "I am not guilty of these charges. I did not authorise, nor was I aware of, phone hacking under my editorship."

She added that the charge concerning Milly was "particularly upsetting, not only as it is untrue but also because I have spent my journalistic career campaigning for victims of crime".

The others facing charges are former News of the World managing editor Stuart Kuttner, former news editor Greg Miskiw, former assistant editor Ian Edmondson, former chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, former assistant editor James Weatherup and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire.

Ms Levitt said that 13 files had been passed to the CPS by the Metropolitan Police and she had decided that there was a "realistic prospect of conviction" in relation to eight of them.

All of the suspects apart from Mr Mulcaire will be charged with conspiring to intercept communications without lawful authority between October 3, 2000, and August 9, 2006.

Prosecutors will allege that more than 600 people, including Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, were victims of this offence.

Other victims of alleged hacking named in connection with the charges were former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, television stars Abi Titmuss and John Leslie, chef Delia Smith, actors Jude Law, Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller, and footballer Wayne Rooney.

Ms Levitt said that no further action would be taken in relation to three other suspects, but police have asked her to defer making a decision over two remaining suspects while they made further inquiries.

The eight who are facing prosecution will be charged when they answer police bail later.

She added that once police had contacted all the alleged victims, a list of them would be made available.

Brooks for Bang-up!

[Sticks]

Witch hunt

[Omah]

Well, we can't burn the witch, but we can bang her up .....