News of The World Phone Hacking Scandal [Merged] [Archive] - ThisisBigBrother.com

Omah

05-07-2011, 09:30 PM

http://www.channel4.com/news/news-of-the-world-targets-met-police-detective

Channel 4 News learns that a Metropolitan Police detective was put under surveillance by News of the World journalists and his personal details targetted.

The surveillance operation came during a crucial murder investigation which implicated private investigators who had alleged links to News International.

Channel 4 News understands Rebekah Brooks, then editor of the News of the World, was informed of the allegations by Scotland Yard at the time.

It was at a time when Rebekah Brooks - now one of the most powerful figures in the media industry - ran the tabloid News of the World and it was just three months after the alleged hacking into Millie Dowler's phone.

This is a story about a claim that Brooks was confronted by the police over allegations of her journalists targetting a murder detective. An astonishing story which at one point, we've been told, had the police secretly watching the News of the World watching the police.

Channel 4 News can reveal the story for the first time tonight.

At 9PM, 25th June 2002, BBC Crimewatch was about to announce yet another investigation into a notorious, unsolved murder.

The case involved the murder of Daniel Morgan, a private investigator who was found in the car park of a south London pub 24 years ago with an axe buried in his head.

The case collapsed again recently - for the fifth time - undermined hugely by police corruption in the early years. But it's what happened after this Crimewatch broadcast to the senior detective in charge, Dave Cook, which has never been told before.

Alastair Morgan, the brother of Daniel Morgan, the murdered private investigator spoke to Detective Dave Cook often during the investigation.

He told Channel 4 News: "Dave told me about it, he told me about it then but I didn't realise who the newspaper was at that point."

Within days of the Crimewatch broadcast, it's understood that Dave Cook had been told by colleagues he was being targetted by the News of the World.

Alastair Morgan describes what is supposed to have happened next: "I learned about the surveillance and then I learned that it was the News of the World that was carrying out the surveillance.

"Dave told me that he was out walking his dog, he was taking his dog for a walk one evening when he noticed a van in an odd location. I think he said behind some trees near his house. The following morning he noticed he was being followed."

It's alleged that the police discovered one of the vans was leased to the News of the World. So concerned were the police that a witness protection unit was mobilised - as well as a police counter surveillance team.

When finally confronted, the News of the World apparently said they were interested in whether Dave Cook was having an affair with a Crimewatch presenter Jacqui Hames. They were in fact married at the time. Jacqui Hames has told Channel 4 News she has been contacted by Operation Weeting Detectives investigating the phone hacking scandal.

What is so disturbing about this allegation is the timing of the targeting of Dave Cook. Because in the murder investigation he was leading, suspects in the case were private investigators who, it's alleged, had close links to the News of the World.

Channel 4 News also understands that Rebekah Brooks - now CEO of News International - knows all about this.

Because, it's claimed, there was a meeting at Scotland Yard in December 2002, in which the police challenged her over this.

We still do not know what the outcome of that meeting was, but both the News of the World and the Metropolitan Police appear never to have spoken about it publicly.

Tonight the News of the World told Channel 4 News: "News International has not been previously aware of these claims but will investigate any allegations that are put to them.

They say they are not in a position to confirm or deny whether any meeting took place or what may have been said if indeed a meeting did take place.

Jeez, how much more is going to come out about the unscrupulous Brooks ..... :shocked:

Harry!

05-07-2011, 11:11 PM

Latest on the BBC News channel suggests that families of 7/7 victims also had their phones hacked. Now that is sickening. What next?

joeysteele

05-07-2011, 11:14 PM

*Calms down after rant* I know the press have a job to do but sometimes they go a step too far...

They certainly do, but it would seem the News of the World is in a lot of bother likely from their antics on this, ironically now making the news,(very negatively for them too), rather than reporting it.

GypsyGoth

05-07-2011, 11:17 PM

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14017661

After she went missing, how low can the press get and how do they sleep at night:mad:. Poor Millie's family as if they didn't have enough heartbreak to contend with:(.

:shocked:

that's truly awful.

joeysteele

05-07-2011, 11:23 PM

I heard on the news that the Ford Motor Company has pulled all its advertising from the NOTW as a result of this phone hacking scandal. What a brilliant idea. I hope other companies do the same.

So do I Livia.

MTVN

05-07-2011, 11:27 PM

Police have visited the parents of Holly Wells & Jessica Chapman as well, the two 10 year old girls murdered by Ian Huntley, they might have hacked their fathers phone or something

If all of this is true, and I bet it is, it's actually disgusting and if the paper manages to survive this I hope noone ever buys it again

InOne

05-07-2011, 11:43 PM

Jesus, the Wells and Chapman one is low :shocked: Do they only employ Sociopaths or something? :bored:

King Gizzard

05-07-2011, 11:45 PM

The dick who done the hacking 'apologised' but said he didn't know he was doing anything wrong. Use your ****ing brain.

Omah

05-07-2011, 11:56 PM

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/revealed-brooksrsquo-past-link-with-milly-private-detective-2307517.html

Revelation piles pressure on Murdoch executive whilst advertisers boycott News of the World as scandal grows.

Rebekah Brooks, the embattled chief executive of Rupert Murdoch’s News International, personally commissioned searches by one of the private investigators who was later used by the News of the World to trace the family of the murdered Surrey schoolgirl Milly Dowler, The Independent can reveal. Ms Brooks, while editor of NOTW, used Steve Whittamore, a private detective who specialised in obtaining illegal information to “convert” a mobile phone number to find its registered owner. Mr Whittamore also provided the paper with the Dowlers’ ex-directory home phone number.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which successfully prosecuted Whittamore for breaches of the Data Protection Act in 2005, said last night it would have been illegal to obtain the mobile conversion if the details had been "blagged" from a phone company.

Ms Brooks, who said yesterday she was "shocked and appalled" at the latest hacking claims, admitted requesting the information. But she said it could be obtained by "perfectly legitimate means". She faced demands for her resignation last night.

The revelation came as News International battled a political and commercial firestorm over the disclosure that its bestselling paper interfered with the police investigation into Milly's disappearance in March 2002 by hacking into her mobile phone and deleting messages.

An emergency three-hour debate is to be held in the House of Commons today. The Labour leader Ed Miliband hardened his position on the scandal, demanding a public inquiry and calling for Ms Brooks to "consider her conscience and consider her position".

David Cameron described the hacking as "quite shocking" and a "truly dreadful act", but rebuffed the call for a public inquiry. He insisted Scotland Yard be allowed to follow the evidence wherever it led.

Responding to growing clamour for her to step down, Ms Brooks yesterday told News International staff it was "inconceivable" that she knew of or sanctioned the hacking of Milly's mobile phone.

In a passionate defence of her position, she wrote: "I have to tell you that I am sickened that these events are alleged to have happened. Not just because I was editor of the News of the World at the time, but if the accusations are true, the devastating effect on Milly Dowler's family is unforgivable."

No evidence has been presented that Ms Brooks was aware of Mulcaire's activities surrounding Milly's disappearance. But an investigation by The Independent shows she was aware of the existence of Whittamore, who used an associate to obtain the Dowlers' home phone number from BT, and made use of his services in an unrelated case.

A copy of the "Blue Book" obtained by The Independent, which covers more than 1,000 transactions carried out for New International's titles between 2000 and 2003, records a request in 2001 from Ms Brooks (whose surname was then Wade) for a "mobile conversion" along with a mobile phone number. She made a second request for an electoral roll search for an address in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The address was occupied at the time by a painter-decorator who lived in a flat above a bike shop in the town.

A friend said: "I have no idea why the editor of the News of the World would have been interested in him. He's just an ordinary guy."

When asked last year by MPs to explain the circumstances around her request, Ms Brooks said she could no longer remember why she wanted to convert the number.

"This was nine years ago and I cannot recall why I required this particular conversion," she wrote.

"You should note that 'conversion'... is often carried out through perfectly legitimate means such as a web search."

An ICO spokeswoman said: "If that information was obtained by 'blagging' then it would have been illegal under Section 55 of the Data Protection Act."

News International last night failed to respond to a request for comment on Ms Brooks' requests to Whittamore. Simon Greenberg, a spokesman for the company, said that Ms Brooks would not be stepping down over the hacking of Milly's phone: "This happened back in 2002, she's now chief executive of a company in 2011. She's absolutely determined to get to the bottom of this issue."

He said the company had launched a full inquiry to establish the facts of the hacking of Milly's phone during Ms Brooks' time as editor.

I'm sure that more of Brooks' unscrupulous past will come out ..... :suspect:

Omah

06-07-2011, 02:29 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14040479

Andy Coulson Former NoW editor was Mr Cameron's communications chief until early this year

It is the link David Cameron's aides always feared. The link between the prime minister's former close aide and director of communications, Andy Coulson, and alleged illegality when he was editor of the News of the World.

This story is, though, not about hacking. It is about paying the police.

News International have now confirmed - in response to an article in Vanity Fair - that they have passed on e-mails to the investigation which, it is alleged, show that Coulson authorised payments to the police when he was editor of the NoW.

I am told that News International did not inform their old employee and favourite son, Andy Coulson, about what they had passed to the police.

What this shows is that those in the firing line are no longer standing together.

What it ensures is that David Cameron has returned from Afghanistan tonight to find himself at the centre of the row about media ethics, the power of the Murdoch empire and his own judgement in hiring Andy Coulson.

PS If you've a long memory you may recall that Rebekah Brooks - then Wade - inadvertently revealed in 2003 that her papers had paid police when under questioning at a Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee hearing.

(Ms Wade) We have paid the police for information in the past.

(Chris Bryant MP) And will you do it in the future?

(Ms Wade) It depends -

At which point Andy Coulson leapt in to rescue his boss and old friend.

(Mr Coulson) We operate within the code and within the law and if there is a clear public interest then we will. The same holds for private detectives, subterfuge, a video bag - whatever you want to talk about.

After this she "clarified" her evidence in a letter which stated that: "My intention was simply to comment generally on the widely-held belief that payments had been made in the past to police officers.

"If, in doing so, I gave the impression that I had knowledge of any specific cases, I can assure you that this was not my intention."

Of course she knew ..... :rolleyes:

Kerry

06-07-2011, 04:31 AM

The family of a 7/7 London terror attack victim allegedly had their phones hacked by the News of the World as they waited for news after the bombing, it has emerged.

The latest revelation in the widening scandal comes as MPs prepare for an emergency debate on the issue in Parliament.

More hacking allegations against the tabloid have emerged in recent days, with claims the parents of murdered Soham girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were targeted, as well as Milly Dowler and her parents.

Graham Foulkes, father of 7/7 victim David, told Sky News he had been contacted by the Metropolitan Police who said they had discovered a file containing his phone number and address during the course of their investigations.

"In the last six years I have spent all my efforts focusing on the response of the emergency services, the police and MI5 so to realise that possibly without doubt the darkest point of anybody;s life, the thought that the press was listening in to those conversations is beyond description," he said.

"I would like to see News International hung, drawn and quartered."

Solicitor Clifford Tibber, who represents some of the 7/7 victims' families, told Sky News: "One of the families who I represent have been told by the team investigating that their phone numbers had turned up during the course of the investigation.

"My thoughts are first of all with the family. It has caused a huge amount of distress to know that the sort of calls they were having to make shortly after the London bombings had been listened to by a journalist.

"It has been a very, very distressing time for them.

"It really is the worst possible invasion of their privacy at a time of the worst possible distress any family could possibly suffer."

The claims fall on the day before the sixth anniversary of the attacks.

As the scandal spread, the private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who hacked into phones for the News of the World, apologised "to anybody who was hurt or upset" by his activities.

In a statement given to The Guardian, he said: "I want to apologise to anybody who was hurt or upset by what I have done."

Mulcaire , who was convicted previously over earlier hacking activities for the paper, said he is now suffering "vilification" as a result of widespread condemnation.

"Much has been published in the media about me. Up to now, I have not responded publicly in any way to all the stories but in the light of the publicity over the last 24 hours, I feel I must break my silence," his statement said.

"I want to apologise to anybody who was hurt or upset by what I have done. I've been to court. I've pleaded guilty. And I've gone to prison and been punished. I still face the possibility of further criminal prosecution."

Mulcaire and ex-News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman were given jail terms in January 2007 after the Old Bailey heard they plotted to hack into royal aides' telephone messages.

Mulcaire sought to mitigate his actions by blaming demanding work schedules.

"Working for the News of the World was never easy. There was relentless pressure," his Guardian statement said.

"There was a constant demand for results. I knew what we did pushed the limits ethically. But, at the time, I didn't understand that I had broken the law at all."

"A lot of information I obtained was simply tittle-tattle, of no great importance to anyone, but sometimes what I did was for what I thought was the greater good, to carry out investigative journalism."

The scandal engulfing the newspaper has stepped up in recent days, engulfing the families of murder victims Milly Dowler and Soham girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Messages on the mobile phone of Milly , who was then missing, were allegedly listened to and some were deleted.

Cambridgeshire police also confirmed that the families of 10-year-olds Jessica and Holly, who were murdered in 2002 by school caretaker Ian Huntley in Soham, were contacted by the Metropolitan Police.

Simon Greenberg, head of corporate affairs for NotW parent company News International, told Sky's Jeff Randall that his company had uncovered new details relating to voicemail interception.

"I think we have found significant new information that certainly helps us get closer to establishing the facts of the case about who was involved," Mr Greenberg said.

Mr Greenberg was asked by Randall if the phone belonging to the parents of Sarah Payne, an eight-year-old girl murdered in 2000, was also hacked, but he replied it was something he was "not aware of".

Later, News International released a statement about passing new evidence important to the police inquiry.

"As a result of media enquiries, it is correct to state that new information has recently been provided to the police," the News International statement said.

The tabloid's former editor Rebekah Brooks , who is now News International chief executive, said she was "appalled and shocked" by the claims but she has refused to resign , and denied any knowledge of impropriety.

According to Sky News chief political correspondent Jon Craig, Ms Brooks' deputy Andy Coulson, who went on to become Prime Minister David Cameron's communication director in Downing Street, is also now embroiled in the controversy.

"This time it is not about phone hacking, it is about payments to police," Craig said.

" Vanity Fair magazine says Mr Coulson 'condoned' payments by his members of staff at the News of the World to Scotland Yard officers, according to emails the company has handed over to police."

"Suddenly we are not just talking about phone hacking, we are also talking about payments to police.

"For those critics out for blood in the Commons emergency debate, this shows evidence of collusion between the paper and police."

Labour MP Chris Bryant, who is among those pursuing litigation in the High Court over alleged hacking, has been granted the emergency debate on hacking in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

He told Sky News that a judicial inquiry was the only way to bring the whole truth to light.

"We need to get to the bottom of two things: what was the scale of the criminality at the News of the World, and secondly, and equally importantly, why did the police do nothing about it in 2006?" Mr Bryant said.

"What I would do is set up the inquiry and adjourn it immediately, so it would be a sword of Damocles hanging over the police investigation because there is a danger as time goes on people will leave the scene, leave the country and shred the evidence and we need to make sure there isn't a cover-up of the cover-up."

Sky News

lostalex

06-07-2011, 04:45 AM

If it's so easy for Newspapers to hack into people's phones, imagine what the government and military must be doing...

It's freaky.

Jords

06-07-2011, 07:54 AM

Nothing is really private these days :bored:

joeysteele

06-07-2011, 08:27 AM

If this is proven then the News of the World should be stopped from publishing. It is a disgrace and of course the wider question is just as what Lostalex said, it makes you wonder if a newsapaper can do these things then what one earth do we not know as to what the Govt may be doing too.

I think already the News of the World has been shown unfit to be in business but if this report is confirmed as well then it should 100% be folded up completely.

Livia

06-07-2011, 12:36 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14040479

Of course she knew ..... :rolleyes:

What kind of editor would she be if she didn't know everything that was going on at her newspaper? Either way she should resign.

Omah

06-07-2011, 12:38 PM

What kind of editor would she be if she didn't know everything that was going on at her newspaper? Either way she should resign.

Exactly ..... :thumbs:

Omah

06-07-2011, 02:28 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14042764

1518:

Mr Watson says the whole board of News International is responsible for what has happened and James Murdoch - chairman and chief executive of parent company News Corp - should be suspended. James is, of course, the son of Rupert.

InOne

06-07-2011, 03:16 PM

-Ditches mobile phone-

Omah

06-07-2011, 03:52 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14042764

1623:

Hugh Grant pops up on the BBC now and doesn't seem to have much faith in David Cameron's commitment to get to the bottom of all this. He says it's not in the PM's interests to take on News International since they got him elected and now tell him what to do.

When Brooks says "Kiss my ***", Cameron is only too ready to oblige ..... :dog:

Omah

06-07-2011, 04:33 PM

1718:

One more well-known name joins the corporate exodus - Butlins says it is withdrawing advertising from the News of the World.

The end of the NoTW is nigh, then ..... ;)

Vicky.

06-07-2011, 04:34 PM

Horrible bastards :bored:

CharlieO

06-07-2011, 04:36 PM

I hope tnotw is shut down :nono:

Omah

06-07-2011, 04:55 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jul/06/news-of-the-world-top-50-advertisers-spend

Several companies have either withdrawn or suspended their advertising with the paper, including the Co-operative, Halifax, Co-op, Vauxhall, Virgin Holidays and Ford.

It's only a drop in the ocean for the NoTW, but every little molecule counts as a protest ..... ;)

Harry!

06-07-2011, 04:57 PM

I watched this live on BBC News. It is such a discrase that this was allowed to happen.

joeysteele

06-07-2011, 04:59 PM

It all seems to be piling up day after day,even the Police are coming out of this badly if the exchanging of money is as it is reported to be.

How the News of the World can go on after this is beyond all comprehension.

bbfan1991

06-07-2011, 05:13 PM

Sick thing to do, those poor families:(.

Hope the NOTW pays the ultimate price for their actions!

joeysteele

06-07-2011, 05:23 PM

Sick thing to do, those poor families:(.

Hope the NOTW pays the ultimate price for their actions!

I really do too,in fact I think if I had my way I would stop the News of the World reporting anything at this point in time and make a final decision as to its future,(if it has one left),after all the investigations are completed.

Tom4784

06-07-2011, 06:43 PM

Sadly they'll recover from this, they'll find themselves a scapegoat and it'll be business as usual in a few weeks.

Kerry

06-07-2011, 08:13 PM

Yeah someone sacked or resigned. They'll continue :rolleyes:

joeysteele

06-07-2011, 08:36 PM

Sadly they'll recover from this, they'll find themselves a scapegoat and it'll be business as usual in a few weeks.

I think you are totally correct in that.

Omah

06-07-2011, 08:48 PM

http://www.channel4.com/news/rebekah-brooks-met-police-over-media-intrusion

The Metropolitan Police have told Channel 4 News that in 2003 officers met the former editor of the News of the World, Rebekah Brooks, over claims that a police officer was shadowed by journalists from the paper.

The allegations - exclusively revealed by Channel 4 News on Tuesday - involve a surveillance operation during a crucial murder investigation which implicated private investigators who had alleged links to News International.

In 2002 a BBC Crimewatch report investigating a notorious unsolved murder featured senior detective Dave Cook. Later, Cook realised he was being followed after colleagues informed him he was being targeted by journalists at the News of the World.

So concerned were police that a witness protection unit was mobilised along with a counter surveillance team to watch journalists allegedly following Cook.

When finally confronted, the News of the World apparently said they were interested in whether Dave Cook was having an affair with a Crimewatch presenter Jacqui Hames. They were in fact married at the time.

Jacqui Hames told Channel 4 News that she has been contacted by Operation Weeting detectives investigating the phone hacking scandal.

On Wednesday she voiced fears that her personal details had been sold by someone in the police force to the News of the World.

Following the report by Channel 4 News the Metropolitan Police have confirmed the issue of "media intrusion" was addressed with News of the World executives.

Rebekah Brooks - editor of the newspaper at the time and now CEO of News International - was told by police in 2003 that an officer had raised concerns about intrusion.

The outcome of the meeting remains unclear, but both the News of the World and the Metropolitan Police appear never to have spoken about it publicly.

In response to questioning by Channel 4 News, the Metropolitan Police confirmed a meeting took place between Dick Fedorcio - the Met's longstanding Director of Public Affairs - Commander Andy Baker, Dave Cook and Rebekah Brooks on 9 January 2003.

"The meeting was held to discuss concerns raised by an officer about media intrusion he believed was taking place," the Met police said, adding that they had "not received any formal complaint relating to the alleged selling of details of a personnel file."

On Wednesday Channel 4 News wrote to News International asking them to confirm Rebecca Brooks was at the meeting; whether she responded to concerns by Dave Cook; whether she raised the issue with her bosses at News International; and whether any action was taken.

News International told Channel 4 News on Tuesday that they are not aware of the claims that a police officer was targeted, but that any allegations would be investigated.

C4 News are still digging ..... :thumbs:

Kerry

06-07-2011, 08:49 PM

News of the World editor Colin Myler has sent out an e-mail to all staff of the newspaper following the ongoing accusations of phone hacking.

The tabloid is alleged to have hacked into the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, as well as families of people who died in the 7/7 London bombings among others.

In a message sent out to employees, Myler said that he was "appalled" to hear about claims that private investigator Glenn Mulcaire accessed Dowler's voicemail on behalf of the paper, adding that he is in the process of uncovering the truth behind the allegations.

"I know you will be as appalled as I am by claims that a private investigator working for the News of the World intercepted the voicemails of Milly Dowler, victims of the 7/7 atrocity and others," Myler wrote.

"We are urgently trying to establish the truth of these allegations which, if proved, would amount to the most unimaginable breach of journalistic ethics.

"Understandably, there is a great deal of anger directed towards this newspaper as a result of what happened in some cases as far back as nine years ago."

Myler went on to warn staff that the near future could be "extremely painful", and praised the paper's "honest journalism" outside of the scandal.

"Inevitably, there is an extremely painful period ahead while we get to the bottom of these issues and atone for the wrongdoing that took place in the past," he added.

"But please be aware that I am extremely proud of your loyalty and commitment, the work we have done, and continue to do, to ensure that nothing like this should happen again. I am also proud of the great, honest, journalism that continues to win awards and make a positive difference to people's lives.

"We are the paper that campaigned to enshrine the Military Covenant in law, fought for ten years to establish Sarah's Law into legislation, the paper of Children's Champions, the paper that has fought tirelessly against bullying and so much more."

Myler concluded the e-mail by stating that he aims to restore the reputation of the newspaper once the full facts of the investigation have been revealed.

"As Rebekah [Brooks] said in her statement yesterday, News International will pursue the facts with vigour and integrity," he declared.

"Please be assured that, as editor, I will do everything in my power to restore the News of the World's reputation for fair, accurate and, most importantly, responsible journalism."

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised a public inquiry into the "absolutely disgusting" allegations of phone hacking at the News of the World.

DS

Excuse me while I vomit

Omah

06-07-2011, 08:57 PM

DS

Excuse me while I vomit

You are excused ..... ;)

What an appalling travesty of the truth and abuse of the facts from Myler - perhaps he's up to his neck in the mire, too ..... :eek:

Kerry

06-07-2011, 09:08 PM

It's on the news now. Literally making my skin crawl.

arista

06-07-2011, 09:16 PM

Yes Ch4 news is Top.
And SkyNewsHD

Omah how many more threads are you going to do,
you could have all these boring bits on one thread.

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:19 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14052909

Phones owned by relatives of dead UK soldiers were allegedly hacked by the News of the World, a national newspaper reports.

The Daily Telegraph claims the phone numbers of relatives of dead were found in the files of private investigator Glenn Mulcaire.

After details of the Telegraph story emerged, a senior source at News International told BBC political editor Nick Robinson: "The military is a cause central to the heart of News International. If this story is correct we are absolutely shocked and appalled that that tradition has been besmirched".

"The News of the World and the Sun have prided themselves on their support for Help the Heroes, campaigns for the military covenant and other military causes."

The extent of this depravity is beyond belief ..... :eek:

MTVN

06-07-2011, 09:26 PM

Can the Mods merge all the NotW threads? We've got 5 here now, don't really need a seperate one for each incident

arista

06-07-2011, 09:27 PM

Can the Mods merge all the NotW threads? We've got 5 here now, don't really need one for each incident

another thread?

Merge the lot

06-07-2011, 09:28 PM

Im SICK TO THE THROAT WITH NOTW. LETS HOPE IT GETS CLOSED DOWN!

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:30 PM

Can the Mods merge all the NotW threads? We've got 5 here now, don't really need a seperate one for each incident

Yes we do - there's more than ONE issue in the debate .....

MTVN

06-07-2011, 09:32 PM

Yes we do - there's more than ONE issue in the debate .....

Not really, they're all a part of the NotW phone hacking scandal as a whole

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:33 PM

Yes Ch4 news is Top.
And SkyNewsHD

Omah how many more threads are you going to do,
you could have all these boring bits on one thread.

Boring .... a man with an axe in his skull and NoTW journalists implicated ?

:amazed:

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:38 PM

Not really, they're all a part of the NotW phone hacking scandal as a whole

No, they're not ..... :nono:

The "hacking" is just the tip of the NotW, and perhaps NI/NC. scandal ..... :hmph:

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:40 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14052690

The actor Hugh Grant has been speaking about how he recorded a conversation between himself and Paul McMullen, in which the journalist revealed details of phone hacking by the media.

Details of the exchange were then revealed by Mr Grant in the New Statesman.

Mr McMullen, a former features editor at the News of the World, joined Mr Grant on the BBC's News Channel to debate the issue.

arista

06-07-2011, 09:46 PM

Boring .... a man with an axe in his skull and NoTW journalists implicated ?

:amazed:

He is dead

Get over it.

This Topic is never ending
One thread would be better

arista

06-07-2011, 09:48 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/5/1309906744418/Steve-Bell-06.07.2011-001.jpg

King Rupert
has a solution.

Great Sketch steve bell

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:51 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14044499

When mobile phones were analogue, would-be snoopers could listen in using scanners. When mobile phones became digital, this option largely disappeared. But by then another way of snooping on people's private lives had presented itself - hacking into voicemail.

Mobile voicemail was introduce during the mid-1980s with users dialling a number, such as 121, to retrieve their messages. Because of poor network coverage, short battery life and people needing to listen to messages while abroad, mobile operators offered customers the chance to access messages remotely from another phone.

For many years the mobile phones came with a default four-digit Pin such as 1234, 0000 or 3333. In theory customers were expected to change their Pin, but in practice very few people did so.

This presented tabloid journalists and private investigators with a golden opportunity. They could simply ring the number and if the caller didn't answer, enter the default Pin and access the person's messages.

Another ruse was to change the voicemail Pin from the default to prevent other journalists having access to it.

Prominent hack victims were Siena Miller, the publicist Max Clifford and Professional Footballers Association chief Gordon Taylor.

But today hacking is not the simple business it once was.

Security has been tightened but the answer is to drop remote access to voicemail altogether.

Simply switching this function off would make phones safer from determined hackers intent on digging around one's voicemail.

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:52 PM

Get over it.

Please do not patronise ..... :nono:

arista

06-07-2011, 09:58 PM

http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2011/Jul/Week1/16025648.jpg

http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2011/Jul/Week1/16025592.jpg

Omah

06-07-2011, 09:59 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14045722

Nick Robinson Political editor

For the past two decades no politician with a prospect of power dared attack the Murdoch empire.

Indeed, politicians of both major parties and their spin doctors fought with each other to woo, to charm and to convert the executives of News International. Today all that changed.

The prime minister has promised enquiries into media ethics and the relationship of the police to News International.

The leader of the opposition has called for the chief executive of News International Rebekah Brooks to be sacked and the News Corporation's bid for BSkyB to be delayed.

Nothing will be quite the same again.

Update, 1513: I'm aware that some people have read my earlier entry and think I'm pointing and nudging towards Andy Coulson.

I'm doing no such thing. I can't say who News International think commissioned and sanctioned the hacking of Milly Dowler's phone, because I don't know. And I have no evidence to suggest it was Mr Coulson.

The fact is that News International are pretty clear they know who was involved. We have to assume that if it's someone on the staff they will have to be disciplined and - if the company doesn't discipline anyone - then it's someone who has already left the building. That includes more people than just Andy Coulson.

Does that someone have ginger hair ..... :conf:

Omah

06-07-2011, 10:24 PM

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/50e4da86-a807-11e0-afc2-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1RMlyTGpQ

By George Parker and Kiran Stacey

David Cameron’s relationship with News International was consummated on September 29 2009, when The Sun announced on the day of Gordon Brown’s Labour party conference speech that it would back the Conservatives at the forthcoming election.

A furious Lord Mandelson, Labour’s election chief, angrily confronted Rebekah Brooks, the group’s chief executive. Now the ramifications of that heated night are coming back to bite the media company.

In calling for Ms Brooks’s resignation on Wednesday, Ed Miliband in effect declared war on Rupert Murdoch’s news empire and completely changed the terms of the political debate, at a stroke transforming the relationship between Westminster and the media group.

Cheered on by his MPs during prime minister’s question time on Wednesday, the Labour leader said Ms Brooks “should take responsibility and stand down”.

“We had a brief internal discussion about the risks,” said one ally of Mr Miliband. “But in the end it was a simple decision – sometimes things are just so obviously wrong that you have to speak out.”

In taking on News International – leading demands for a full inquiry into the hacking scandal and calling for News Corp’s bid for British Sky Broadcasting to be put on hold – Mr Miliband is putting himself at the head of a parliamentary cause.

As Chris Bryant, the Labour MP and former minister, said in opening Wednesday’s emergency debate, media barons have long deployed their power to curtail political criticism. “We have colluded for far too long with the media,” he said.

The latest allegations of phone-hacking – moving from the realms of celebrity to embroil bereaved families in their darkest moments of despair – have emboldened parliament to take on what Mr Bryant called “other powers” in the land.

:cool:

Harry!

06-07-2011, 10:25 PM

I'm bored of this now :bored:.

Omah

06-07-2011, 10:33 PM

I'm bored of this now :bored:.

Well, there are rather complex social, moral and emotional issues involved, along with massive potential political and economic considerations ..... :)

joeysteele

06-07-2011, 10:47 PM

I'm far from bored with it and its news that is changing and seemingly getting intensely worse all the time, this is matter of peoples privacy and the right to that but it is also becoming an insight to some of the possible corruption not only as to certain media but within the Police too.

arista

06-07-2011, 11:03 PM

I'm bored of this now :bored:.

Yes
Africa has starving children
more important.

joeysteele

06-07-2011, 11:19 PM

Yes
Africa has starving children
more important.

I agree that starving Children is a very important and urgent issue and has to be kept in the news more too,however in truth Africa always has starving Children and adults too.
This news though as to the hacking scandal has even now far evovlved into even more issues concerning peoples privacy and freedoms and therefore I would say is as important at this point in time.

Omah

06-07-2011, 11:29 PM

Yes
Africa has starving children
more important.

That's not new and, seemingly, it never changes - mainly due to rampant corruption, which, coincidentally, is one of the issues in the NotW "case" ..... shouldn't we put our own house in order first ?

:conf:

Omah

07-07-2011, 09:26 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14060039

David Cameron is under growing pressure to act now to set up a judge-led public inquiry into allegations of phone hacking by the News of the World.

The PM has said a probe must wait until police investigations are completed.

But Conservative London Mayor Boris Johnson said it should be "immediate" and "no holds barred".

Labour MP Chris Bryant also said an inquiry could be set up now and given the power to summon evidence "before somebody starts shredding it".

The PM is procrastinating as much as possible, presumably to permit his "pals" to prepare their "defence" ..... :rolleyes:

joeysteele

07-07-2011, 09:48 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14060039

The PM is procrastinating as much as possible, presumably to permit his "pals" to prepare their "defence" ..... :rolleyes:

It certainly appears he is going to have to be dragged kicking and screaming into taking any action on this, maybe it's likely he hopes to limit the damge to or try to protect, his Sun and News of the World friends.

He is having to be pushed very hard by all other politicians and independent sources all the way on this and even Boris Johnson the London Mayor is saying he should get the public enquiry up and running now.

I liked one MPs call that the public enquiry should be set up now and should be gathering information and evidence now too before someone starts shredding it.

It seems the Police have made a right old mess of this too and although I cannot stand the man,well done to John Prescott for really pushing this one too, he has never given up on his grievance with the News of the World and eventually it seems the can of worms has finally been opened.

This may damage Cameron very badly,personally as to judgement and politically too if he is seen to try to protect any people at the News of the World, he is friendly with Rebecca Brooks,if she has anything on him and his party she seems a lady(?) that will go down fighting in the nastiest way possible.

Omah

07-07-2011, 10:43 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14061557

The Royal British Legion (RBL) has cut ties with the News of the World as its campaigning partner amid claims the paper may have hacked into the mobile phones of bereaved military families.

The forces charity said it was "shocked to the core" by the allegations.

It said it was also reviewing its advertising with the paper's owner, News International, which also publishes the Sun and The Times.

Good for RBL ..... :thumbs:

Omah

07-07-2011, 10:59 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/07/letting-rebekah-brooks-lead-inquiry-extraordinary

The PCC chair says it is extraordinary that Rebekah Brooks is leading the internal inquiry into phone hacking.

The head of the press watchdog has attacked the "extraordinary decision" by Rupert Murdoch to allow Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News International, to oversee the investigation into phone hacking at the News of the World.

Peta Buscombe, chair of the Press Complaints Commission, who insisted in 2009 that the PCC was not misled by the News of the World during its own inquiry into phone hacking, has conceded in the wake of this week's revelations that the watchdog had been "lied to".

She urged News International chiefs to "look at their own conscience" and give the true facts.

But she expressed doubts that there could be confidence in an internal company investigation conducted by Brooks, the former News of the World editor under whose watch some of the alleged phone hacking took place.

"I think it's extraordinary that Rupert Murdoch has asked Rebekah Brooks to lead their own internal inquiry into this," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"In any other business that would not be allowed to happen."

Unbelievable - the alleged criminal allowed to investigate their own activities ..... :shocked:

arista

07-07-2011, 11:46 AM

NOTW could sell for 20p
this Sunday, if it comes out.

Omah

07-07-2011, 12:56 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14065599

Sir Paul Stephenson Met Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson asked the IPCC to supervise the payments inquiry

The investigation into claims officers were paid by the News of the World will be overseen by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The watchdog's deputy chairwoman Deborah Glass said she would personally supervise the "robust" inquiry to give "independent oversight".

The Met said it had formally referred documents from the tabloid's publisher News International to the IPCC.

Now that seems fair enough ..... ;)

Newspaper reports claim several people are likely to be arrested within days.

Oo-er - brown trousers for several coppers, then ..... :laugh2:

Omah

07-07-2011, 01:57 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14059572

More companies have withdrawn advertising from the News of the World in light of the phone-hacking scandal.

Major advertisers Boots and O2 are the latest to join a list of businesses wishing to distance themselves from the paper while the situation unfolds.

Mobile phone company O2, who spent more than £1m on advertising in the News of the World last year, said it would not be purchasing advertising "while the situation unfolds".

Boots, who spent £800,000 last year, said it had also put further advertising on hold.

They're only small amounts, but they all count as a protest ..... :cool:

Alf

07-07-2011, 02:37 PM

scumbags
thats all i got to say on the matter

arista

07-07-2011, 02:53 PM

The BSkyB share price
is now lower - more ideal for King Ruperts
full take over

Alf

07-07-2011, 02:58 PM

i hope this dosn't take up all of question time tonight

joeysteele

07-07-2011, 03:02 PM

i hope this dosn't take up all of question time tonight

I have a feeling it will dominate proceedings.

arista

07-07-2011, 03:04 PM

i hope this dosn't take up all of question time tonight

Yes it will
with that British Actor On
who was with a hooker in LA

Omah

07-07-2011, 03:35 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14067935

Police investigating allegations of phone hacking by the News of the World have called for patience as they contact almost 4,000 people whose names appear in documents seized in 2005.

The Met's Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers said she understood people were upset but police needed time.

She said officers were scouring 11,000 pages of notes as well as dealing with more who feared they were targets.

Ye gods ..... who's NOTon the list or in the notes ?

:shocked:

Callum

07-07-2011, 03:45 PM

Last edition ever on Sunday

arista

07-07-2011, 03:45 PM

This sunday will be
the last Edition of the News of the World paper

It closes down.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/News-Of-The-World-This-Sunday-Last-Ever-Issue/Article/201107116026230?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_16026230_News_Of_The_World%3A_This_Sun day_Last_Ever_Issue

Ref: SkyNews
BBCNews

Alf

07-07-2011, 03:53 PM

may as well get rid of the sun and daily star while their at it

Grimnir

07-07-2011, 03:57 PM

good riddance to gutter scum press

get rid of the rest too

all the **** they have printed over the years and its phone hacking that caused downfall :joker:

the world is retarded

arista

07-07-2011, 04:00 PM

may as well get rid of the sun and daily star while their at it

No the Star is not under
King Rupert.

And The Sun has millions of readers

MTVN

07-07-2011, 04:01 PM

:cheer:

Alf

07-07-2011, 04:08 PM

No the Star is not under
King Rupert.

And The Sun has millions of readers
they still print utter nonsence, news to them is ryan giggs sex life, jordan buying a new handbag, kerry katonas drug habbits and cheryl cole walking down the street

Scarlett.

07-07-2011, 04:17 PM

Good riddance

joeysteele

07-07-2011, 04:21 PM

No the Star is not under
King Rupert.

And The Sun has millions of readers

I cannot understand at all why so many people still buy the Sun, it is the most vile of the daily papers
As I have said before though I do know loads of people who buy it out of habit, because they always have, yet day after day, week after week it is thrown out into the recycling bins having never once been read by them.

It never really had any credibility but now it is just a really rotten publication.

Omah

07-07-2011, 04:25 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14070733

This Sunday's issue of the News of the World will be the last edition of the paper, News International chairman James Murdoch has said.

In the past few days, claims have been made that the paper authorised hacking into the mobile phones of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and the families of 7/7 bombing victims.

Mr Murdoch said proceeds from the last edition would go to good causes.

Downing Street said it had no role or involvement in the decision.

The News of the World is the UK's biggest selling newspaper and has been in circulation for 168 years.

No advertisements will run in this weekend's paper - instead any advertising space will be donated to charities and good causes.

News International has refused to comment on rumours that The Sun could now become a seven-day-a-week operation.

"What happens to The Sun is a matter for the future", a spokeswoman for News International said. The Sun, another News International tabloid, is currently published from Monday to Saturday.

In a statement made to staff, Mr Murdoch said the good things the News of the World did "have been sullied by behaviour that was wrong - indeed, if recent allegations are true, it was inhuman and has no place in our company".

"The News of the World is in the business of holding others to account. But it failed when it came to itself."

He went on: "In 2006, the police focused their investigations on two men. Both went to jail. But the News of the World and News International failed to get to the bottom of repeated wrongdoing that occurred without conscience or legitimate purpose.

"Wrongdoers turned a good newsroom bad and this was not fully understood or adequately pursued.

"As a result, the News of the World and News International wrongly maintained that these issues were confined to one reporter.

"We now have voluntarily given evidence to the police that I believe will prove that this was untrue and those who acted wrongly will have to face the consequences. This was not the only fault.

"The paper made statements to Parliament without being in the full possession of the facts. This was wrong.

"The company paid out-of-court settlements approved by me. I now know that I did not have a complete picture when I did so. This was wrong and is a matter of serious regret."

He reiterated that the company was fully co-operating with the two ongoing police investigations.

He added: "While we may never be able to make up for distress that has been caused, the right thing to do is for every penny of the circulation revenue we receive this weekend to go to organisations - many of whom are long-term friends and partners - that improve life in Britain and are devoted to treating others with dignity."

Labour MP Tom Watson told Sky News it was "a victory for decent people up and down the land, and I say good riddance to the News of the World"

Hear, hear ..... :hello::thumbs2::banana:

Grimnir

07-07-2011, 04:30 PM

NOTW is no different than all the rest of scum media

why you all surprised and outraged?

we live in a world full of scum gutter press and media

do you know why these papers exist?

because YOU the public buy them and like the ****e they print

burn your magazines, papers and turn off the bull**** media

if you enjoy your mag or your paper over your cornflakes you have no moral high ground

bbfan1991

07-07-2011, 04:43 PM

bbfan1991

07-07-2011, 04:45 PM

The Sun apparently going 7 days a week, rebranded etc, still part of that despicable company ugh.

Grimnir

07-07-2011, 04:54 PM

NOTW shutdown:shocked:, right decision but News International is still operating and is in charge of other newspapers plus Rebekah Brooks hanging onto her job:mad:.

Tbh I feel sorry for the innocent employees at the NOTW who weren't involved because the job was their livelihood but this scandal is disgraceful.

I have zero sympathy for any employee of gutter press

They willingly chose to work for scum

sack the lot of em, they should all go and find a respectable job instead of being a minion of satan

Boothy

07-07-2011, 05:05 PM

I'd imagine we're just gonna see a Sunday version of The Sun. Won't be any difference whatsoever apart from the name of the paper.

Doogle

07-07-2011, 05:07 PM

Good riddance.

Boothy

07-07-2011, 05:09 PM

www.thesunonsunday.co.uk - Registered on Tuesday. :bored:

http://webwhois.nic.uk/cgi-bin/whois.cgi?query=thesunonsunday.co.uk

Marc

07-07-2011, 05:12 PM

Wow. Can't believe it's been shut down.

I'm happy, but can't believe it! Hope all those reporters find it hard to get another job.. ars*holes

Shaun

07-07-2011, 06:08 PM

arista

07-07-2011, 06:10 PM

i hope this dosn't take up all of question time tonight

Old Dimbleby
just confirmed its a Question Time Special on the NOTW.

Bloated BBC
there are other storys that need Public Debates.

arista

07-07-2011, 06:16 PM

It's such an empty gesture - noone's been brought to justice over what happened yet, and many people are now unemployed. Yet another careless, disgusting decision by a corrupt, greedy, immoral wanker.

James Murdoch
made a Commercial choice here.
He is a Clever man.

The Police Inquiry goes on
more arrests still to be made

And a 168 year old paper closes.

Sticks

07-07-2011, 06:33 PM

I have zero sympathy for any employee of gutter press

They willingly chose to work for scum

sack the lot of em, they should all go and find a respectable job instead of being a minion of satan

The people there now were nothing to do with the phone action which happened some years ago.

This is more about ownership of BSkyB and the 200 employees are not all journalists.

The logical inference of what is said here , is that all of them should be black listed so they are never employed again and they should all be denied the dole and have their photos plastered all over the community and branded worse than rapists and murderers. :shocked:

Yet the editor at the time of the hacking still keeps her job in the organisation.

Sometimes when looking for work you have to take what is available, those are the rules.

Livia

07-07-2011, 06:45 PM

Rebekah Brookes is deplorable. How she has managed to hang on to her job is anyone's guess. Claiming she didn't know about the hacking that happened while she was in charge should be reason enough to sack her. Instead not just journalists but printers, administrators etc. who had nothing to do with the scandal are paying the price for other people's greed and lack of scruples.

arista

07-07-2011, 07:07 PM

The people there now were nothing to do with the phone action which happened some years ago.

This is more about ownership of BSkyB and the 200 employees are not all journalists.

The logical inference of what is said here , is that all of them should be black listed so they are never employed again and they should all be denied the dole and have their photos plastered all over the community and branded worse than rapists and murderers. :shocked:

Yet the editor at the time of the hacking still keeps her job in the organisation.

Sometimes when looking for work you have to take what is available, those are the rules.

How can they sell a Paper with No Ads?

Its a Commercial Choice.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/7/1310062905837/News-of-the-World-18-Apri-005.jpg

RIP NOTW

joeysteele

07-07-2011, 08:05 PM

I hope Rebekah Brooks still has some shocks coming to her from the investigations.

Kerry

07-07-2011, 08:23 PM

It's just going to be rebranded. Thesunonsunday domain names were all bought up a couple of days ago. Just hope people aren't gullable enough to think it's not related

Tom4784

07-07-2011, 08:24 PM

They'll undoubtedly just come up with a 'new' newspaper and return to business as usual before long. I am glad that, for the moment at least, NOTW is down and out.

Kerry

07-07-2011, 08:26 PM

I'll be interested to know what their final headline will be.

Omah

07-07-2011, 08:42 PM

Are Ms Brooks minions taking names "for the record" and will there be "repurcussions" later on for some of us, as occurred at DS when "pej" used his leverage to effect a cull of "disbelieving" FMs ..... :suspect:

Kerry

08-07-2011, 12:16 AM

*Resists gotta have faith joke*

What the hell are you supposed to believe these days? All coming out of the woodword but it would appear this might get milked too for 'celebrity' sake :mad:

George Michael has praised the decision to close the News of the World following the ongoing phone hacking scandal.

News Corporation's James Murdoch announced today that News of the World will cease production on Sunday following allegations that the paper hacked the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, as well as families of people who died in the 7/7 London bombings, among others.

Michael took to Twitter to declare today "a fantastic day for Britain", following various stories about his troubled private life appearing in the newspaper in recent years.

Michael said: "Hey boyz and girls, a message to my english fans in particular. Today is a fantastic day for Britain. Those of you that have wondered why I have had nothing to say this week about Rupert Murdoch, all I can say is that the time will come (sic)."

The singer also alleged that former editor Rebekah Brooks once told him that police officers, rather than members of the public, would often give the paper information about celebrities' private lives.

"But this much is worth saying now. Rebekah Brooks sat two feet from me in my own home and told me that it was never the public that came to them with information on celebrities, and that the Police always got there first," he claimed. "I think that's enough to be going on with. (Don't ask me how she got there). Believe me I didn't invite her.

"By the way, the things I have to say on the NOTW's corruption of the British justice system are by way of a public warning. These beliefs are in no way an excuse for any of my behaviour in recent times. I was happy to do my time, because I was so ashamed."

Michael concluded: "You gotta have faith in Karma. Today it's very real. And i hope the families of Milly Dowler and all the others who died get way more than an apology. God bless them x"

Omah

08-07-2011, 12:19 AM

Harry!

08-07-2011, 12:22 AM

Who's George Michael ?

:conf:

http://www.createblog.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/omg.gif

Kerry

08-07-2011, 12:23 AM

Who's George Michael ?

:conf:

Is that a serious question?

Kerry

08-07-2011, 12:25 AM

Saying that, it's someone who wouldn't want to shag Katie Price, so you won't know him....

Omah

08-07-2011, 12:55 AM

Is that a serious question?

I've just looked him up - his real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, a singer, and his father was a Greek Cypriot, resident in London, which is an amazing coincidence because, of course, Peter Andre(a), allegedly a singer, was born of Greek Cypriot parents, also resident in London ..... :amazed:

Kerry

08-07-2011, 01:01 AM

I've just looked him up - his real name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, a singer, and his father was a Greek Cypriot, resident in London, which is an amazing coincidence because, of course, Peter Andre(a), allegedly a singer, was born of Greek Cypriot parents, also resident in London ..... :amazed:

Have you been on the pop?

Harry!

08-07-2011, 01:03 AM

George Michael > Garbage Bin > Peter Andre

George is far more talented.

Kerry

08-07-2011, 01:09 AM

NOTW's last sale is to run with no adverts and the entire revenue will go to charity

..... how very kind of them.............

arista

08-07-2011, 02:13 PM

NOTW's last sale is to run with no adverts and the entire revenue will go to charity

..... how very kind of them.............

Yes Very Good Move.

Omah

08-07-2011, 02:19 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14077405

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been arrested by police investigating phone hacking and corruption allegations.

Mr Coulson, 43, was arrested at 1030 BST on Friday by detectives investigating allegations of hacking the phones of various people in the news and is also being questioned about corruption allegations.

He was arrested by appointment at a south London police station and is in custody.

Ex-NoW royal editor Clive Goodman, jailed in 2007 for phone hacking, has been arrested over corruption claims.

Goodman, 53, is understood to be being held at a south London police station, although not the same one as Mr Coulson.

Kerry

08-07-2011, 08:37 PM

Hear all staff are to be banned from the newsroom without supervision from Saturday night due to more possible scandal coming out.

LOL they're petrified of leaks/sabotage

Interesting....

Omah

09-07-2011, 09:33 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14087518

A number of charities have rejected an offer to advertise for free in the final edition of the News of the World.

News International is shutting the tabloid amid claims of phone-hacking and advertising space for Sunday's paper has been offered to good causes.

The Salvation Army and the RSPCA were among those to decline the offer.

But the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which launched a drought appeal for East Africa on Friday, said it would accept a free advert.

A spokeswoman said although it in no way condoned the "unconscionable" behaviour of some News of the World journalists and executives, there was a "humanitarian imperative" for it to raise the maximise income to help those affected by the drought.

On Friday, the Institute of Fundraising urged caution among its members when deciding whether to accept the offer of free advertising space from News International.

Good for the Salvation Army and the RSPCA .....:thumbs:

joeysteele

09-07-2011, 09:41 AM

Very well done to the Salvation army and RSPCA indeed, it helps demonstrate how toxic this matter has become.

Scarlett.

09-07-2011, 12:38 PM

Paul McMullan is an idiot

nUjrIn6OzJA

Sticks

09-07-2011, 03:48 PM

Very well done to the Salvation army and RSPCA indeed, it helps demonstrate how toxic this matter has become.

That's all very well with respect to the RSPCA, but in the early day of the Salvation Army, it's founder William Booth was accused of receiving "Tainted money" because he accepted a donation from a brewery.

William Booth's response was that the only thing wrong with "tainted money" was that there was Taint enough of it.

A pragmatist if ever there was one. :nono:

Omah

09-07-2011, 03:57 PM

That's all very well with respect to the RSPCA, but in the early day of the Salvation Army, it's founder William Booth was accused of receiving "Tainted money" because he accepted a donation from a brewery.

William Booth's response was that the only thing wrong with "tainted money" was that there was Taint enough of it.

A pragmatist if ever there was one. :nono:

Times is different now ..... and anyway, the issue was not the "taint" of money, but association with a disreputable rag .... ;)

Omah

09-07-2011, 06:46 PM

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012886/News-World-CofE-threatens-withdraw-4m-investment-Murdoch.html#ixzz1RdRDRV6O

As distressed staff prepared the final edition of the News of the World, the Church of England today threatened to withdraw its £4 million investment in the company unless 'senior managers' are dealt with over the hacking scandal.
The Church's ethical investment advisory group said it had written to News Corp describing the behaviour of the News of the World as 'utterly reprehensible and unethical'.
It said the closure of the paper was not a 'sufficient response' to revelations of malpractice which included allegations of illegal payments to police officers by journalists and the hacking of an estimated 4,000 mobile phones.
The church's condemnation came as it emerged:
Chairman Rupert Murdoch is flying into Britain to personally handle the crisis.
James Murdoch could face criminal charges in America under its corruption law over alleged payments made to UK police.
Andy Coulson, David Cameron's former Downing Street spin doctor has talked for the first time since his arrest.
Labour has demanded the government appoint a judge to lead the inquiry into the hacking scandal.
The church's advisory group chairman John Reynolds has insisted that the News Corp board takes 'all necessary measures' to instil investor confidence in the ethical and governance standards of the company.
A statement said: 'We cannot imagine circumstances in which we would be satisfied with any outcome that does not hold senior executives to account at News Corporation for the gross failures of management at the News of the World.'
The Church Commissioners holds shares worth around £3.76 million in an £8 billion investment portfolio.
Professor Richard Burridge, deputy chairman of the group, insisted that the threat of pulling its investment could have an impact.
He said: 'If we don't get a satisfactory answer then disinvestment comes on to the horizon, but you can't go straight to the nuclear option, you have to engage first.'
He added: "I would love to think that Rupert Murdoch lies in bed at night quaking in fear of the Church of England but I fear that may not be the case.'.

Good for the CofE ..... :thumbs:

Lewis.

09-07-2011, 06:57 PM

Why is the church of england investing money into it anyway?

Jords

09-07-2011, 09:36 PM

Front cover reads: Thank You & Goodbye

joeysteele

09-07-2011, 09:47 PM

Times is different now ..... and anyway, the issue was not the "taint" of money, but association with a disreputable rag .... ;)

Thanks Omah. To quote a song title by Meatloaf I believe, ''You took the words right out of my mouth''.

Kerry

09-07-2011, 10:36 PM

Front cover reads: Thank You & Goodbye

Should be a full page apology

joeysteele

09-07-2011, 11:04 PM

Should be a full page apology

While I naturally feel a little for something that has been going for 168 years,I totally agree with you and it would have been appropriate for them to go out with a lot more decency by saying sorry to all that have been offended by the events of some near 10 years ago now and since.

Obviously they are unable to answer to as to the investigations going on but certainly to have shown some humility and acceptance that no matter who the staff are now, that the paper at that time got a lot wrong.

bbfan1991

09-07-2011, 11:09 PM

A very hacked off NOTW Journalist has apparently wrote Rebekah Brook's personal contact number on Twitter, if it's true oh dear:shocked:.

joeysteele

09-07-2011, 11:13 PM

A very hacked off NOTW Journalist has apparently wrote Rebekah Brook's personal contact number on Twitter, if it's true oh dear:shocked:.

What a pompous Madam she is though, I don't know how she can sleep at night or have the audacity to not even at least offer her resignation.

Murdoch says he still has total support for her, what a really ignorant person he is too.

Kerry

09-07-2011, 11:17 PM

A very hacked off NOTW Journalist has apparently wrote Rebekah Brook's personal contact number on Twitter, if it's true oh dear:shocked:.

Sadly she'll just get a new number and genuine calls will be diverted by some asisstant no doubt :rolleyes:

Vicky.

09-07-2011, 11:18 PM

Nice to see some form of remorse from them :rolleyes:

bbfan1991

09-07-2011, 11:18 PM

What a pompous Madam she is though, I don't know how she can sleep at night or have the audacity to not even at least offer her resignation.

Murdoch says he still has total support for her, what a really ignorant person he is too.

I totally agree she has a nerve but if that really is her number I wouldn't do that kind of thing because I wouldn't like it if someone did it to me, even though the innocent employees have every right to be peed off, but not as much as everyone who got hacked of course.

Murdoch is a repugnant man.

Lewis.

09-07-2011, 11:20 PM

bbfan1991

09-07-2011, 11:20 PM

Their sports journalists were actually quite good:sad:, that is only one thing I will miss.

Lewis.

09-07-2011, 11:26 PM

Their sports journalists were actually quite good:sad:, that is only one thing I will miss.

It's a shame that some of their workers had nothing to do with any of this and lost their jobs due to the selfishness of others :nono:

bbfan1991

09-07-2011, 11:29 PM

It's a shame that some of their workers had nothing to do with any of this and lost their jobs due to the selfishness of others :nono:

Absolutely! I heard that some of the NOTW workers who are innocent will be offered jobs at Murdoch's other newspapers but they should tell him to shove it, however the recession is still in full swing and it's a job plus they have to support themselves and their families..

joeysteele

09-07-2011, 11:31 PM

I expect they'll make a lot of money tomorrow from their final paper. I know a lot of people are refusing to buy it but I probably will, just because all of the money is going to charity and also it's something to look back on. Mum still has newspapers from when I was born, 9/11 and 7/7. It's always interesting to look back at them.

Yes,they will, sadly I know people who are going to buy it tomorrow,they say mainly because it will be a part of history and it has a pullout of the first ever News of the World from 168 years ago.

The only bit I like of what they are saying is that it's now part of history,the past,no future.

bbfan1991

09-07-2011, 11:35 PM

I wish the Daily Star and the Daily Fail would join it, tacky and vile papers:bored:.

keithafc

10-07-2011, 05:21 AM

Paul McMullan is an idiot

nUjrIn6OzJA
A lot of what Paul said was true. Celebs are now just starting to jump on the bandwagon and using it to get noticed. Paul also raised a few good points. Steve is a celebrity, he walks down read carpets and thus attracts the papers to him.

arista

10-07-2011, 08:44 AM

I wish the Daily Star and the Daily Fail would join it, tacky and vile papers:bored:.

No
there needs to be so many types
The Star does great free offers

The D. Mail gives us the best Photo quality online.

The NOTW
has a great History - even if you do not like it.

joeysteele

10-07-2011, 10:26 AM

From talking to people,it was a good paper ages ago, like most press it has swayed away from real news to making or inventing its stories at times.

Now it has paid the rpice for believing it was invincible,I doubt it very much but it would be nice to think other papers will now look internally at themselves and seek ways to regain some decent reporting and editorial competence.

It has a history yes, thankfully though now, no future, that is one good thing to come from this scandal for starters.

joeysteele

10-07-2011, 10:26 AM

I know it's too much to hope for but I would love to see the fall of the Murdoch empire because of this too. Maybe if he keeps praising Rebekah Brookes and she gets brought in more to this, it might have some effect as to that starting to happen.

Scarlett.

10-07-2011, 11:13 AM

I bought the final one (well, the money for it is going to charity, so why not?) They have a pullout of the first ever front page, was weird reading it lol

joeysteele

10-07-2011, 11:21 AM

I bought the final one (well, the money for it is going to charity, so why not?) They have a pullout of the first ever front page, was weird reading it lol

I was tempted to get it just to see the old headlines and the first edition but I thought I would be being hypocritical after all I've said about them.
I guess it would have been interesting to read the first edition,I didn't know the money for todays sales were going to charity though.

I don't really buy papers anyway.

Lewis.

10-07-2011, 11:35 AM

I bought the final one (well, the money for it is going to charity, so why not?) They have a pullout of the first ever front page, was weird reading it lol

Gonna pop down to the shop in a minute to get mine :hugesmile:

Scarlett.

10-07-2011, 11:38 AM

I could see one of the covers on the front page had the BB7 eye on it xD

Harry!

10-07-2011, 06:44 PM

:thumbs:

http://i.imgur.com/STUzb.png

Omah

12-07-2011, 03:19 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14116786

Two current and two former Metropolitan Police officers will be quizzed by MPs in public later about inquiries into phone-hacking at the News of the World.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates, Andy Hayman and Peter Clarke will appear before the Home Affairs Committee.

MPs are expected to ask them why the initial investigation, started in 2005, failed to uncover evidence of hacking of crime victims' voicemail messages.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers will also appear before the committee.

She is leading the current investigation into phone-hacking, Operation Weeting.

:idc:

arista

12-07-2011, 01:36 PM

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/12/article-2013690-0CF9907100000578-478_634x564.jpg

King Rupert (80 years old) with his Personal Trainer (left).

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/12/article-2013690-0CF97E2700000578-954_634x319.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/12/article-2013690-0CFA301B00000578-825_634x1051.jpg

arista

12-07-2011, 03:01 PM

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmSTsthw_5HwvsfQWgxJYegJZxL736Z 4RY9dZivLUHPo-DQHIPYQ

Labour MP Chris Bryant
was just on SkyNewsHD
he demanded Kay Burley to say sorry
over something said months back,
she ignored that.

He stated that in Wales, his area,
is full of Sat's on the roof - he said its wrong that one man has this much control?

What a Total Nutter
many may be on Freesat which uses the same Sky Sat on the roof.
And on Sky they can watch BBCNews.
Sky is not control it is Freedom

So Typical of him to Attack Sky.
What a Nutter.

joeysteele

12-07-2011, 03:27 PM

I am really appalled at the levels the press seem to have gone down to as to reporting,particularly the Murdoch papers, who seem rife with immoral,indecent and dishonest practices even.

Chris Bryant seems to be rather an ill informed MP who is likely really getting at Sky because he has an axe to grind with anything linked to the Murdoch media.
He a while ago said something against the Murdoch press and soon after he was outed as being gay by the Sun.

(Kay Burley,I have to admit, I find her very irritating at times,she is a very unwelcoming person,I recall Jason Gardiner,when she was on Dancing on ice,saying to her, you are so cold, that if you were on fire you still wouldn't radiate any warmth).

arista

12-07-2011, 04:24 PM

joeysteele

12-07-2011, 04:27 PM

Yes but I enjoy a Show with a Edge
far better than 2 people stuck at a BBCNews desk
looking down at paper updates far to much.

I agree, she only irritates me at times, I like the way she interviews politicians usually.

Omah

14-07-2011, 01:08 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14148658

News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch have been summonsed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal on Tuesday.

But as US citizens, Rupert Murdoch, who has declined a request to attend the Commons media committee, and his son James, who has offered to go on another day, cannot be forced to appear.

News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has agreed to attend.

Rupert Murdoch has said he will appear before the judge-led public inquiry.

On Tuesday, the Commons culture, media and sport committee invited Mrs Brooks and the Murdochs to give evidence at the House of Commons about the phone-hacking scandal.

In a statement, the MPs said that serious questions had arisen about the evidence Mrs Brooks and Andy Coulson, both of them former News of the World editors, gave at a previous hearing in 2003.

In his letter to committee chairman John Whittingdale, Rupert Murdoch said that although he was not available on Tuesday, he was "fully prepared" to give evidence to the judge-led inquiry announced by the government.

James Murdoch offered to appear on an alternative date, the earliest of which was 10 August.

Mrs Brooks said she "welcomed the opportunity" to give evidence.

But, in a statement, the MPs said: "The committee has made clear its view that all three should appear to account for the behaviour of News International and for previous statements made to the committee in Parliament, now acknowledged to be false.

"Accordingly, the committee has this morning decided to summon Rupert Murdoch and James Murdoch to appear before the Select Committee in Parliament at 2.30pm on Tuesday July 19 2011."

Mr Whittingdale said the Deputy Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons would now deliver the summons to the Murdochs in person.

The BBC's political correspondent Ben Wright said the committee expected the Murdochs to have a response ready, which the Deputy Sergeant at Arms would collect and bring back to the MPs.

Our correspondent said if the Murdochs declined to attend the hearing, the matter would then be reported to the House of Commons which could decide the Murdochs were in contempt of Parliament.

The committee was not clear what happened after that because it had not happened for many years, and was taking advice from the Speaker's Council, he added.

The Leader of the House Sir George Young said there were a range of sanctions available if individuals failed to respond to summons to appear before a select committee - including fines and imprisonment - although he said the latter had not been used for some time.

Could be interesting ..... ;)

arista

14-07-2011, 04:07 PM

King Rupert
and his son James
will be at the Tuesday Hearing.

Giving Evidence to some Hungry MP's.

Ref: SkyNewsHD

Spiffing

arista

14-07-2011, 04:17 PM

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmSTsthw_5HwvsfQWgxJYegJZxL736Z 4RY9dZivLUHPo-DQHIPYQ

Again MP Bryant
has his Facts wrong
he just said on SkyNewsHD
that no other provider can show all there movies.

Utter Bollocks
on VirginHD you can also get SkyMovies
all in HD.

Tom4784

14-07-2011, 06:02 PM

I've heard that the American government's getting stuck in now as well, I'm not usually keen on other countries dabbling in our affairs but when it comes to Rupert Murdoch I hope they rip him apart. He's a cancer to the industry.

arista

14-07-2011, 06:08 PM

Omah

14-07-2011, 06:11 PM

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

News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch have agreed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal on Tuesday.

The Commons media committee had issued summonses after the men initially declined to appear next week.

Not that they'll reveal much (remember the Maxwells) but silences and evasions can be highly indicative ..... ;)

arista

14-07-2011, 06:12 PM

Not that they'll reveal much (remember the Maxwells) but silences and evasions can be highly indicative ..... ;)

The maxwells were never as big in their Empire.

joeysteele

14-07-2011, 08:11 PM

I think he knows things are clearly extremely bad for him and his organisation now. Of course and sadly he is right too,he,James and the awful Rebekah are saying they likely cannot answer most questions due to the Police investigations.

They therefore have a cop out on this occassion but I really hope like Dezzy and others that this will spell the end of these awful people having control over any media source in the UK eventually.

Sticks

14-07-2011, 09:07 PM

Tom4784

14-07-2011, 09:19 PM

But when the powers that be take out a press baron, then the powers that be will feel that they have unfettered powers to trample on our freedoms.

It was the press that exposed the MP's expenses issues, and now they are seeking revenge...

Your argument makes little sense, let News Corp encroach on our freedoms to prevent the government from doing it? It's like punching someone in the mouth and telling them you're doing it to prevent other people from doing it to you again. Either way you're getting punched, just from a different person.

Omah

14-07-2011, 10:10 PM

But when the powers that be take out a press baron, then the powers that be will feel that they have unfettered powers to trample on our freedoms.

It was the press that exposed the MP's expenses issues, and now they are seeking revenge...

The tabloid press only exposes what it can make money out of - it cares little for the freedoms of the common man ..... :nono:

arista

14-07-2011, 11:07 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/13/1310580843922/14.07.11-Steve-Bell-on-th-005.jpg

joeysteele

14-07-2011, 11:29 PM

Well in reality it wasn't the press who uncovered the expenses scandal on their own. The information was in the possession of and leaked to the press by someone in the Civil Service.
The Telegraph took it whereas the other papers didn't and the rest is history. However likely without that leak from that person or persons then the press would not have had the information to do it and the expenses would still be being claimed as before.

Omah

14-07-2011, 11:49 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14162268

News Corporation's chairman Rupert Murdoch says his company has handled the phone-hacking crisis "extremely well" and will recover.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he said it would establish an independent committee to "investigate every charge of improper conduct".

Earlier he and son James agreed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the scandal on Tuesday.

The men initially declined to appear before the commons media committee.

In the interview with the US paper, which is owned by News Corp, Mr Murdoch said he wanted to address "some of the things that have been said in Parliament, some of which are total lies".

He said: "We think it's important to absolutely establish our integrity in the eyes of the public... I felt that it's best just to be as transparent as possible."

But he insisted the damage to his company was "nothing that will not be recovered".

He said he acted appropriately and quickly: "when I hear something going wrong, I insist on it being put right."

Mr Murdoch also rejected criticism that James Murdoch had acted too slowly in dealing with the tabloid scandal.

"I think he acted as fast as he could, the moment he could," he said.

"independent, integrity, transparent, appropriate" - as if he knows what those words mean ..... :rolleyes:

joeysteele

14-07-2011, 11:54 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14162268

"independent, integrity, transparent, appropriate" - as if he knows what those words mean ..... :rolleyes:

Awful man, his statement is full of pure garbage and I think it shows desperation now.

I would love to see him lose all he has in the UK,everywhere else too if possible.

Omah

15-07-2011, 03:47 AM

News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch have agreed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal. What other challenges do the bosses of the global media empire face?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14152145

Pile it on ..... :colour:

Omah

15-07-2011, 09:45 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14166162

Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News International, has resigned, the company has confirmed.

Her departure follows days of growing pressure for her to step down as the phone hacking crisis grew.

In a statement, she said she felt a "deep responsibility for the people we have hurt".

She was editor of the News of the World when murder victim Milly Dowler's phone was hacked.

Ms Brooks said she wanted to "reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place".

Her statement went on: "I have believed that the right and responsible action has been to lead us through the heat of the crisis. However my desire to remain on the bridge has made me a focal point of the debate.

"This is now detracting attention from all our honest endeavours to fix the problems of the past."

Ms Brooks, who had been with News International for 22 years, bowed to the international pressure piling up on the company.

In the US, the FBI is investigating reports that News Corporation sought to hack the phones of victims of the 9/11 attacks.

The criminal probe follows calls from a growing number of senators and a senior Republican for an investigation.

Meanwhile, News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch and his son James have agreed to answer UK MPs' questions on the hacking scandal next week.

The leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, said: "It is right that Rebekah Brooks has resigned. No-one should exercise power without responsibility."

Result ..... :thumbs:

Omah

15-07-2011, 11:08 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14166627

"I am writing to update you on the actions we have been taking as a company to solve the problems at News International relating to the News of the World, in addition to continuing to cooperate fully and actively with the police and settling civil claims.

We have created an independent Management & Standards Committee and I want to emphasise its importance. The Committee has direct governance and oversight from News Corporation Board members and is codifying standards that will be clear and enforced.

We made the difficult and necessary decision to close the News of the World.

A number of executives have now left the Company.

News Corporation also withdrew its proposal to acquire the shares in BSkyB it does not own. This is a strong signal that our top priority in the UK is to address the issues facing News International.

Looking to the future, I am also pleased to tell you that Tom Mockridge will become CEO of News International. Tom is in London today and will start right away.

Tom is a highly respected and accomplished media executive who has served as CEO of Sky Italia since its launch in 2003.

Tom, who has also been in charge of our European Television business, started his career as a newspaper journalist in New Zealand and he has held a range of top roles in the newspaper industry.

The creation of TG-24, Italy's only truly independent 24-hour news channel, is a credit to Tom's leadership and integrity.

This weekend, News International will run advertisements in all national newspapers. We will apologise to the nation for what has happened. We will follow this up in the future with communications about the actions we have taken to address the wrongdoing that occurred.

We are also sending letters to our commercial partners with an update on the actions we are taking.

Next week, my father and I will appear before the Commons Media Select Committee and will speak to them directly about our determination to put things right.

The Company has made mistakes. It is not only receiving appropriate scrutiny, but is also responding to unfair attacks by setting the record straight.

I would like to conclude by saying thank you. Throughout this time, you have gotten (sic) out great papers every day and have stayed focused.

I am deeply grateful for that."

Meaningless tosh ..... :hmph:

Sticks

15-07-2011, 03:19 PM

So they walk away and not bother to clean up the mess?

Harry!

15-07-2011, 03:25 PM

So they walk away and not bother to clean up the mess?

All 3 people involved will attend a meating with the Culture MP's next tuesday.

Omah

15-07-2011, 03:38 PM

All 3 people involved will attend a meating with the Culture MP's next tuesday.

Three Monkeys (http://www.internationalrivers.org/files/images/Monkeys.preview.jpg) ..... :wink:

arista

15-07-2011, 04:27 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/5/1309906744418/Steve-Bell-06.07.2011-001.jpg

Posting again as Steve Bells
drawing came true.

arista

15-07-2011, 04:46 PM

King Rupert just Spoke on SkyNewsHD
Saying sorry.
Outside the hotel which had the Private meeting
with the Dowler famly.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Rebekah-Brooks-News-International-Chief-Executive-Resigns-Following-Phone-Hacking-Scandal/Article/201107316030910?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_16030910_Rebekah_Brooks%3A_News_Intern ational_Chief_Executive_Resigns_Following_Phone-Hacking_Scandal

Not on BBCNews due to Strikes
they show 20 mins old footage between each hour
like the Prince in Canada - well out of date.

Omah

15-07-2011, 11:15 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14170879

Les Hinton, one of the top executives of Rupert Murdoch's embattled News Corporation, has quit.

The exit by Mr Hinton, chief executive of the media group's Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, was reported by that newspaper.

The 67-year-old is the most senior executive to leave News Corp since its engulfing by a phone-hacking scandal.

Rebekah Brooks - chief executive of the media group's UK newspaper arm, News International - also quit on Friday.

The resignations of two top Murdoch lieutenants follows News Corp's decision this week to abandon a multi-billion dollar bid to take full control of British pay-TV operator BSkyB.

Mr Hinton worked for News Corp for more than half a century after joining Mr Murdoch's business as a cub reporter with the Adelaide News in Australia.

He was head of News International from 1995-2007, a period in which the News of the World was hacking phones.

Mr Murdoch shut down the 168-year-old Sunday tabloid last week in response to the scandal, with the loss of 200 jobs.

In a statement, Mr Hinton, who also served as publisher of the Wall Street Journal, said: "I have watched with sorrow from New York as the News of the World story has unfolded.

"I have seen hundreds of news reports of both actual and alleged misconduct during the time I was executive chairman of News International and responsible for the company.

"The pain caused to innocent people is unimaginable.

"That I was ignorant of what apparently happened is irrelevant and in the circumstances I feel it is proper for me to resign from News Corp, and apologise to those hurt by the actions of the News of the World."

At the Wall Street Journal, news of Mr Hinton's sudden departure was reportedly greeted by gasps from stunned staff.

In the wake of the phone-hacking scandal, Mr Hinton is the first Murdoch executive to fall on his sword in the US, where the FBI announced on Thursday it was investigating a report that the News of the World had also snooped on the phones of 9/11 victims.

Following Mr Hinton's departure, Dow Jones President Todd Larsen will report to News Corp Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey, the company said.

"fall on his sword" - if only they had that much decency ..... :rolleyes:

joeysteele

15-07-2011, 11:35 PM

They are dropping like flies at the minute.

MTVN

17-07-2011, 01:33 PM

Rebekah Brooks arrested (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14178051) :hello:

Sticks

17-07-2011, 01:49 PM

It is never good form to gloat :nono:

Sticks

17-07-2011, 01:49 PM

It is never good form to gloat :nono:

MTVN

17-07-2011, 01:52 PM

It's about time she was held accountable

arista

17-07-2011, 01:57 PM

It's about time she was held accountable

Who cares she is Sacked.

The Police took her Cash.
Why do they need to see her 2 days before the Public grilling?

Sticks

17-07-2011, 06:20 PM

Because she will not be able to talk to the committee mow for legal reasons and certain forces want her silenced...

joeysteele

17-07-2011, 06:24 PM

It's about time she was held accountable

I couldn't agree with you more,I have not the slightest bit of sympathy for her whatsoever.

Alf

17-07-2011, 06:24 PM

they want to give her a good haircut, the scruffy cow

joeysteele

17-07-2011, 06:24 PM

they want to give her a good haircut, the scruffy cow

:joker::joker: I'll do it.:joker:

Sticks

17-07-2011, 06:35 PM

I couldn't agree with you more,I have not the slightest bit of sympathy for her whatsoever.

It is not a question of sympathy, but the fact that by not waiting to arrest her, they stop her talking about possible police corruption.

Anyone else think that the timing is highly suspicious?

Ken Livingstone does :shocked:

arista

17-07-2011, 06:45 PM

Sir Paul Stephenson the Met Police Commissioner.
has resigned

SkyNewsHD

Omah

17-07-2011, 09:19 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14180043

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has resigned following the phone hacking scandal.

Britain's most senior police officer has faced criticism for hiring former News of the World executive Neil Wallis - who was questioned by police investigating hacking - as an adviser.

Sir Paul said his links to the journalist could hamper investigations.

He said there were lessons to be learned from the affair, but he was leaving with his integrity intact.

He also said he had no knowledge of the extent of the phone hacking.

Now a knight falls on his sword ..... :laugh3:

Omah

17-07-2011, 09:32 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14180609

Nick Robinson :

He jumped. He was not pushed. There was, I'm told, "no gun to his head".

We are being told that Britain's top policeman, Sir Paul Stephenson, has resigned in order to take responsibility for the failures in the Metropolitan Police. He insists that he is leaving with his integrity intact and his boss, the Mayor of London, seems to agree. How very old fashioned.

Not so fast though.

Last Thursday, Boris Johnson summoned Sir Paul to an emergency 90-minute meeting and left him in no doubt that his confidence had been shaken.

The mayor then called the prime minister and warned him that he was considering taking serious action. Sir Paul and Boris spoke several times over the weekend before the Met chief decided to quit.

One option Boris was considering was an inquiry into the Met's links with the News of the World and former executives of the paper like Neil Wallis by another police force, HMIC - the inspector of constabulary - or the IPCC - the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

I am told that this remains a possibility which must raise doubts over how long Assistant Commissioner Yates and head of press Fedorcio can survive in their posts.

Ah, more to this than meets the eye, then ..... ;)

arista

17-07-2011, 10:35 PM

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/07/17/article-2015779-0D0D670200000578-148_634x483.jpg

lostalex

17-07-2011, 10:59 PM

They should also arrest everyone who's ever bought the NOTW.

This is all starting to feel like a bit of a witch hunt to me.

Let's look at WHY they did it...because the PUBLIC wanted these stories, that's why. Every person who buy's these trash papers is just as guilty as that unfortunate ginger lady. IMHO.

These epople were not doing anything evil, they were only attempting to satiate the public's voracious appetite for trash. yet we demonize these few individuals and the public goes on unscathed? This is more about the perverse nature of the public's appetite for a certain kind of news than it is about these specific people.

Shame on You(and me sometimes)!

Omah

17-07-2011, 11:01 PM

lostalex

17-07-2011, 11:03 PM

"unfortunate ginger lady" - unfortunate because she's ginger ..... :conf:

lol, No, unfortunate because she fits the criteria for a witch during a witch hunt.

Harry!

17-07-2011, 11:07 PM

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lohdgnefGf1qezo28o1_500.jpg

Omah

17-07-2011, 11:15 PM

lol, No, unfortunate because she fits the criteria for a witch during a witch hunt.

How's that ?

What are the criteria for being an unfortunate witch ?

:conf:

lostalex

17-07-2011, 11:46 PM

How's that ?

What are the criteria for being an unfortunate witch ?

:conf:

Being a woman in a position of power is usually a good start...

(you do realize that there's no such thing as witches, right? That's the cruel irony of a witch hunt)

joeysteele

17-07-2011, 11:50 PM

lostalex

17-07-2011, 11:53 PM

I don't think Rebekah Brookes has cared one iota for the distress likely caused to those whose phones were hacked,she is only now upset that they have been found out.

Had she cared at all in any way,she would have gone straight away.

Can you name just one person who DID care care about those things? including politicians or members of any other press organization, before the scandal came to light? If not, then how can you blame her so specifically?

Ohh, that's right, we need a witch to burn, after all, we've already collected the wood and set a date...would be a shame to cancel now.

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:06 AM

Being a woman in a position of power is usually a good start...

(you do realize that there's no such thing as witches, right? That's the cruel irony of a witch hunt)

Surely "witch-hunts" usually focus on the power-less ..... :conf:

e.g. :

During the McCarthy era, thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels, committees and agencies. The primary targets of such suspicions were government employees, those in the entertainment industry, educators and union activists. Suspicions were often given credence despite inconclusive or questionable evidence, and the level of threat posed by a person's real or supposed leftist associations or beliefs was often greatly exaggerated. Many people suffered loss of employment and/or destruction of their careers; some even suffered imprisonment. Most of these punishments came about through trial verdicts later overturned, laws that would be declared unconstitutional, dismissals for reasons later declared illegal or actionable, or extra-legal procedures that would come into general disrepute.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyist

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:07 AM

Being a woman in a position of power is usually a good start...

Anything else ?

:conf:

lostalex

18-07-2011, 12:18 AM

Anything else ?

:conf:

i don't think you get the analogy... scroll up.

lostalex

18-07-2011, 12:21 AM

Surely "witch-hunts" usually focus on the power-less ..... :conf:

e.g. :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyist

Powerless compared to what? Compared to the screeching and baying masses? She's definitely powerless. Abandoned by the public and her employers, please tell me what power she has?

She's as helpless as helpless can get.

There's more sympathy for child-rapists on death row in Texas than for this woman right now.

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:32 AM

i don't think you get the analogy... scroll up.

You said "criteria" ..... :conf:

You've only supplied discounted "criterion" ..... ;)

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:39 AM

Powerless compared to what? Compared to the screeching and baying masses? She's definitely powerless. Abandoned by the public and her employers, please tell me what power she has?

She's as helpless as helpless can get.

There's more sympathy for child-rapists on death row in Texas than for this woman right now.

You have a distinctly laudatory view of MS Brooks - do you work for her ?

:wink:

lostalex

18-07-2011, 12:39 AM

You said "criteria" ..... :conf:

You've only supplied discounted "criterion" ..... ;)

even saying criteria was ironic, because obviously witches don't exist... so how can you have genuine criteria for something that doesn't actually exist?

I repeat, WITCHES ARN'T REAL... (wow, i actually had to say that to someone)

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:40 AM

even saying criteria was ironic, because obviously withes don't exist... so how can you have genuine criteria for something that doesn't actually exist?

Well, you tried ..... and failed ..... :joker:

lostalex

18-07-2011, 12:41 AM

You have a distinctly laudatory view of MS Brooks - do you work for her ?

:wink:

Or MAYBE i AM her!! ohh, conspiracy theories abound! lol

No I don't know her from Mary. (or do i?) lol

I don't.

Omah

18-07-2011, 10:13 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14182535

David Cameron has said the Commons is likely to be recalled in order to consider the latest developments in the phone hacking scandal.

MPs were due to begin a six-week recess at the end of Tuesday.

But Labour have demanded an extra day's sitting to enable MPs to debate what is said by Rupert Murdoch and Sir Paul Stephenson at committees on Tuesday.

The PM said it would be "right" to make a statement on Wednesday and answer questions "arising" from the hearings.

Pressure has been growing on the Commons to keep sitting on Wednesday as the scandal surrounding News International and the police continues to intensify.

Rupert Murdoch, his son James and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks are set to face questions on Tuesday afternoon from the Commons culture committee over what went on at the News of The World and what they knew about it.

Earlier that day, the Met Commissioner - who announced his resignation on Sunday amid allegations about the force's relationship with former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis - is due to appear before the home affairs select committee.

Speaking in South Africa, where he is on a trade trip, Mr Cameron said he believed it would be appropriate for MPs to sit an extra day to discuss these developments.

It is up to the Commons Speaker John Bercow to decide whether to extend the Commons sitting.

Downing Street said they did not expect there to be a session of Prime Minister's Questions - which normally takes place on a Wednesday - but that the prime minister will make a statement on phone hacking and take questions from MPs afterwards.

Hahahahaha .... I'll bet that the Opposition is delighted to have the opportunity to "discuss", with the PM, the issues being raised ....... :joker:

Ed Miliband is to blame the scandal on a culture of "irresponsibility" that also led to the banking crisis and MPs' abuse of their expenses.

In a speech later, he will say that all three episodes were caused by some of the most powerful people in society thinking they were "untouchable" and could act as they pleased.

Of course, he's right ..... :thumbs:

Omah

18-07-2011, 10:58 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14182806

Nick Robinson :

Yates of the Yard looks to be next in line for the Boris treatment.

The Mayor of London has just signalled that he expects the Professional Standards Sub Committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority to investigate the Met's Assistant Commissioner John Yates.

It is responsible for "Senior Officer Conduct" and its tasks include "to investigate and deal with any allegations, report and complaints about the conduct of officers of ACPO rank in accordance with appropriate regulations".

If he is investigated it will not be for failing to re-open the enquiry into hacking but for his relationship with Neil Wallis, the News of the World's former deputy editor who was hired to offer the Met PR advice.

Yates may be tempted to point out that at the time some argued that the hacking row was "codswallop" and "a politically motivated put-up job by the Labour Party".

To be more precise those were the words of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Update 0936 BST:

Assistant Commissioner John Yates was the man tasked with carrying out "due diligence" before the Metropolitan Police awarded a contract to the firm run by Neil Wallis, the former Deputy Editor of the News of the World in September 2009.

I understand that Yates received categorial assurances from Wallis that nothing would emerge that would embarrass either of them or the commissioner.

The Met took the view that Wallis had never been "in the frame" over phone hacking - a view that only changed more than a year later when News International revealed new information at the beginning of this year.

This led to the arrest of Wallis, his former boss Andy Coulson, Rebekah Brooks and others.

Uh-oh ..... :laugh2:

Omah

18-07-2011, 11:11 AM

1206:

Labour leader Ed Miliband begins a media conference on the phone-hacking scandal.

Omah

18-07-2011, 11:24 AM

The Home Affairs Committee has recalled Assistant Commissioner John Yates to give evidence on Tuesday

:idc:

Omah

18-07-2011, 11:58 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14181344

The future of Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates has been called into question as the phone-hacking scandal fall-out continues.

He checked the credentials of Neil Wallis before the Met employed the ex-News of the World executive, who has been questioned over hacking claims.

The Met Police Authority is considering Mr Yates's future and London's mayor said he had "questions to answer".

It comes after Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson resigned on Sunday.

The resignation of Sir Paul, the most senior policeman in Britain, came after he was criticised for hiring Mr Wallis as an adviser.

Mr Wallis, a former NoW deputy editor, was arrested and released on bail on Thursday on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications.

:suspect:

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:00 PM

1259:

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee says Rupert and James Murdoch will be giving evidence to MPs at 1430 BST on Tuesday. It says Mrs Brooks will appear on her own from 1530 BST.

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:16 PM

1308:

Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner John Yates says he's done "nothing wrong", amid speculation he could be suspended over the phone-hacking scandal. He tells reporters who ask if his position is untenable: "Give me a break."

1314:

The Met Police Authority's professional standards committee is now expected to release a statement at about 1355.

Omah

18-07-2011, 12:18 PM

Blimey - the statements are coming thick and fast ..... :amazed:

Met Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates has resigned and is expected to make a statement later this afternoon

joeysteele

18-07-2011, 01:35 PM

It seems John Yates has gone from the met now, he's tendered his resignation.

Omah

18-07-2011, 02:09 PM

It seems John Yates has gone from the met now, he's tendered his resignation.

You're right another one bites the dust :

Met Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates has resigned as the phone-hacking scandal fall-out continues.

He checked the credentials of Neil Wallis before the Met employed the ex-News of the World executive, arrested last week over hacking allegations.

Mr Yates indicated his intention to resign to the chairman of the Met Police Authority, which was accepted.

Mr Yates's decison to quit comes after Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson resigned on Sunday.

The resignation of Sir Paul, the most senior policeman in Britain, came after he faced criticism for the recruitment of Mr Wallis as a PR consultant.

Mr Wallis, a former NoW deputy editor, was arrested and released on bail on Thursday on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications.

Mr Yates's resignation came after he was informed he would be suspended pending an inquiry into his relationship with Mr Wallis.

The officer had been confronted with new information about the friendship between the two men, sources told BBC political editor Nick Robinson.

I was having a lite-bite when it happened - couldn't these people be more considerate about falling on their swords ?

:joker:

Omah

18-07-2011, 04:40 PM

... four current or former Met Police officers

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

1728:

In a statement, the Independent Police Complaints Commission says it has received five referrals from the Metropolitan Police Authority regarding the actions of current and former senior Scotland Yard officers over the phone-hacking scandal.

1734:

The matters referred to the IPCC involve:

The conduct of the Met commissioner in carrying overall responsibility for the investigation into phone hacking

The conduct of Assistant Commissioner John Yates: in his review in July 2009 and overall role in relation to the phone-hacking investigation; and in his alleged involvement in inappropriately securing employment for the daughter of a friend

The conduct of two former senior officers in their role in the phone-hacking investigation.

1735:

The BBC understands that the two senior officers named in the IPCC's investigation are former Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke and former Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman.

The Roll of Dishonour gets longer ..... :shocked:

Smithy

18-07-2011, 05:18 PM

Sean Hoare, the former News of the World showbiz reporter who was the first named journalist to allege Andy Coulson was aware of phone hacking by his staff, has been found dead, the Guardian has learned.

Hoare, who worked on the Sun and the News of the World with Coulson before being dismissed for drink and drugs problems, is said to have been found dead at his Watford home.

Hertfordshire police would not confirm his identity, but the force said in a statement: "At 10.40am today [Monday 18 July] police were called to Langley Road, Watford, following the concerns for welfare of a man who lives at an address on the street. Upon police and ambulance arrival at a property, the body of a man was found. The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.

"The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but not thought to be suspicious. Police investigations into this incident are ongoing."

Hoare first made his claims in a New York Times investigation into the phone-hacking allegations at the News of the World.

He told that newspaper that not only did Coulson know of the phone-hacking, but that he actively encouraged his staff to intercept the phone calls of celebrities in the pursuit of exclusives.

In a subsequent interview with the BBC he alleged that he was personally asked by his then-editor, Coulson, to tap into phones. In an interview with the PM programme he said Coulson's insistence that he didn't know about the practice was "a lie, it is simply a lie".

At the time a Downing Street spokeswoman said Coulson totally and utterly denied the allegations and said he had "never condoned the use of phone-hacking and nor do I have any recollection of incidences where phone-hacking took place".

Sean Hoare, a one-time close friend of Coulson's, told the New York Times the two men first worked together at the Sun, where, Hoare said, he played tape recordings of hacked messages for Coulson. At the News of the World, Hoare said he continued to inform Coulson of his activities. Coulson "actively encouraged me to do it," Hoare said.

In September last year he was interviewed under caution by police over his claims that the former Tory communications chief asked him to hack into phones when he was editor of the paper, but declined to make any comment.

Hoare emerged back into the spotlight last week, after he told the New York Times that reporters at the News of the World were able to use police technology to locate people using their mobile phone signals in exchange for payments to police officers.

He said journalists were able to use a technique called 'pinging' which measured the distance between mobile handsets and a number of phone masts to pinpoint its location.

Hoare gave further details about the use of 'pinging' to the Guardian last week. He described how reporters would ask a news desk executive to obtain the location of a target: "Within 15 to 30 minutes someone on the news desk would come back and say 'right that's where they are.'"

He said: "You'd just go to the news desk and they'd just come back to you. You don't ask any questions. You'd consider it a job done. The chain of command is one of absolute discipline and what's why I never bought into, like with Andy saying he wasn't aware of it and all that. That's bollocks."

He said he would stand by everything he had told the New York Times about 'pinging'. "I don't know how often it happened. That would be wrong of me. But if I had access as a humble reporter … ."

He admitted he had had problems with drink and drugs and had been in rehab. "But that's irrelevant," he said. "There's more to come. This is not going to go away."

Hoare named a private investigator who he said had links with the News of the World, adding: "He may want to talk now because I think what you'll find now is a lot of people are going to want to cover their arse."

Speaking to another Guardian journalist st last week, Hoare repeatedly expressed the hope that the hacking scandal would lead to journalism in general being cleaned up and said he had decided to blow the whistle on the activities of some of his former News of the World colleagues with that aim in mind.

He also said he has been injured at a party the previous weekend while taking down a marquee erected for a children's party. He said he had broken his nose and badly injured his foot when a relative accidentally struck him with a heavy pole from the marquee.

Hoare also emphasised that he was not making any money from telling his story. Hoare, who has been treated for drug and alcohol problems, reminisced about partying with former pop stars and said he missed the days when he was able to go out on the town.

:shocked:

Omah

18-07-2011, 05:27 PM

1801:

The BBC's Tom Symonds understands the referral received by the IPCC relating to John Yates's alleged involvement in inappropriately securing employment for the daughter of a friend refers to the daughter of Neil Wallis. Mr Wallis, the former deputy editor of the News of the World, was arrested last week.

Omah

18-07-2011, 06:29 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14194623

Former News of the World journalist Sean Hoare has been found dead at his home in Watford.

He told the New York Times the practice of phone hacking was far more extensive than the newspaper acknowledged when police first investigated the case.

Hertfordshire Police said the body of a man was found at an address in Langley Road, Watford, on Monday morning.

A police spokesman said the death was currently being treated as unexplained but was not thought to be suspicious.

The spokesman said: "At 10.40am today [Monday] police were called to Langley Road, Watford, following the concerns for welfare of a man who lives at an address on the street.

"Upon police and ambulance arrival at a property, the body of a man was found. The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.

"The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but not thought to be suspicious. Police investigations into this incident are ongoing."

joeysteele

18-07-2011, 11:41 PM

You're right another one bites the dust :

I was having a lite-bite when it happened - couldn't these people be more considerate about falling on their swords ?

:joker:

:joker:I had to smile at that comment from you too Omah,it is really hard to keep up with this issue. :joker:

Omah

19-07-2011, 12:20 AM

:joker:I had to smile at that comment from you too Omah,it is really hard to keep up with this issue. :joker:

Hehehehehehe ...... :joker:

Yeah, I believe that some find it harder to keep up than others ..... ;)

Omah

19-07-2011, 01:05 AM

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Profiles-of-the-MPs-Asking-the-Murdochs-and-Rebekah-Brooks-the-Key-Questions-At-The-Hacking-Hearing/Article/201107316032902?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_16032902_Profiles_of_the_MPs_Asking_th e_Murdochs_and_Rebekah_Brooks_the_Key_Questions_At _The_Hacking_Hearing

The Interrogators :

:: JOHN WHITTINGDALE, CHAIRMAN (CON)

A Tory traditionalist who was Margaret Thatcher's political secretary in No 10 before becoming an MP.

He has had a good scandal so far, making measured and sensible contributions on both hacking and News Corp's bid for BSkyB, and was one of the first Conservative MPs to acknowledge that the bid was doomed.

He was embarrassed at the weekend by reports that Mrs Brooks was one of his friends on Facebook.

He successfully laughed off the criticism by pointing out that he has been specialising in the media for many years, first as a Conservative spokesman and then as chairman of his select committee and so has met media bosses many times.

He has proved to be a firm select committee chairman and is unlikely to let his members go over the top with their style of questioning. He is well respected by Labour as well as Conservative members of the committee.

:: THERESE COFFEY (CON)

Elected last year for Tory grandee John Gummer's seat, she has established herself as a frequent Commons performer and a solid inquisitor on the select committee.

She is one of very few MPs who are prepared to defend Mrs Brooks and other News International bosses when she believes it is appropriate.

In the emergency Commons debate on the News Corp-BSkyB bid, she claimed there had been a "witch-hunt" against Rebekah Brooks.

She also responded to the Murdochs' U-turn on appearing at the select committee in a measured way, telling Sky News: "Fair play to them."

:: DAMIAN COLLINS (CON)

Elected to Michael Howard's Folkestone seat last year, he has made a steady start to his career in Parliament.

As well as working for Michael Howard, he worked in advertising and public relations before becoming an MP and is therefore something of a media specialist.

:: PHILIP DAVIES (CON)

A terrier-like MP from Yorkshire who is a former Asda supermarket boss. A populist right-winger who hates political correctness, soft jail sentences and the European Union.

He is no fan of David Cameron - the feeling is probably mutual - and is likely to quiz Mrs Brooks on the cosy social gatherings of the "Chipping Norton set", which is said to include the Prime Minister.

:: PAUL FARRELLY (LAB)

A former journalist who achieved notoriety when he was involved in a bar brawl in the Houses of Parliament. Earlier, he scored a major propaganda victory when he exposed a multi-national company which took out a super-injunction to cover up dumping at sea.

A feisty campaigner, he is likely to be a tenacious interrogator and without respect for reputations.

:: LOUISE MENSCH (CON)

The former Louise Bagshawe, the chick-lit novelist who recently married the manager of a rock band. She is also a former journalist and has been impressive with her sharp and forensic questioning at earlier hearings of this committee.

Perhaps when these hearings are over she will write a saucy novel about a media boss married to a former racehorse trainer, a crumbling international dynasty, a super-smooth Prime Minister and, of course, the goings on in a fashionable Cotswolds set.

:: ALAN KEEN (LAB)

Now 73, this former scout for Jack Charlton when he was manager of Middlesbrough FC probably knows more about football than any other MP. But the media is not his forte and some of his questions in this area can be clumsy.

The Feltham and Heston MP is married to Ann Keen, who was MP for a neighbouring constituency in west London until she lost her seat at the last election. They were dubbed "Mr and Mrs Expenses" and were among the most notorious expenses claimers in the last Parliament.

:: ADRIAN SANDERS (LIB DEM)

Worked for Paddy Ashdown before becoming MP for Torbay, his home town. He favours a tough line on the Murdochs and is planning to demand at the start of the select committee hearing that all the witnesses should be compelled to give evidence under oath and face prosecution if they are found to have lied.

:: JIM SHERIDAN (LAB)

An old-school Scottish trade unionist who is chairman of the Unite group of Labour MPs in the Commons. He has been a tireless campaigner for workers' rights and the low-paid in the Commons and has attacked New International's decision to close the News Of The World because it has thrown hundreds of employees out of work.

:: TOM WATSON (LAB)

This larger-than-life Gordon Brown cheerleader has been dubbed one half of the Woodward and Bernstein of the hacking scandal, along with fellow Labour MP Chris Bryant.

He has made some explosive claims in the Commons in recent weeks, including accusing James Murdoch of a cover-up. He will pursue these allegations during the hearing now he has the chance to quiz the Murdochs face-to-face. Apart from John Whittingdale, he is the Member to Watch at this hearing.

Bit of a mixed bunch, then ..... :idc: