[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17753490

Four files relating to alleged offences committed by journalists have been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider if charges can be brought.

The cases concern allegations of misconduct in a public office, perverting the course of justice, witness intimidation and harassment.

Interception of communications, thought to be phone hacking, is also included.

Four journalists, one police officer and six other people are allegedly involved.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17898029

A report by MPs into allegations of phone-hacking at the News of the World is due to be published shortly.

The cross-party culture committee questioned journalists and bosses at the now closed paper, as well as police and lawyers for hacking victims.

Its report will consider the role of James Murdoch, who has denied knowing of wrongdoing at the paper, and other former News International executives.

The BBC's James Landale said their conduct was expected to be criticised.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17898029

Rupert Murdoch "is not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company", MPs have said.

The cross-party culture committee questioned journalists and bosses at the now closed paper, as well as police and lawyers for hacking victims.

It concluded that Mr Murdoch exhibited "wilful blindness" to what was going on in his media empire.

And it said the News of the World and News International misled Parliament about the scale of phone hacking.

The committee also criticised three former News International executives - one-time executive chairman Les Hinton, former News of the World editor Colin Myler and former legal manager Tom Crone.

And it concluded: "Corporately, the News of the World and News International misled the committee about the true nature and extent of the internal investigations they professed to have carried out in relation to phone hacking; by making statements they would have known were not fully truthful; and by failing to disclose documents which would have helped expose the truth."

[Omah]

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

Former editor Rebekah Brooks must 'accept responsibility' for culture at News of the World that led to hacking, MPs say

MPs: 'We have been led up the garden path by News International - and so were the readers

Harriet Harman says Labour will support Commons motion that Murdochs and other executives guilty of contempt of Parliament

Tory MP Louise Mensch accuses Labour MPs of adopting 'partisan' approach over Rupert Murdoch phone hacking report

[Omah]

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

No surprise there .....

[arista]

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Crone said they "lacked foundation".

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

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

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

Rebekah Brooks becomes a mother

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

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

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

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

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

[Kizzy]

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

[arista]

Originally Posted by kizzy

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

Another Madonna
then



Sign Of The Times

[michael21]

Originally Posted by arista

Another Madonna
then



Sign Of The Times

i thought you like the sun

[Livia]

Originally Posted by kizzy

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

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

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

• Rebekah Brooks;

• Charles Brooks;

• Cheryl Carter - Mrs Brooks' personal assistant;

• Mark Hanna - head of security at News International;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

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

[Sticks]

Originally Posted by Omah

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

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

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

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

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Sticks

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

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

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

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

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

[Sticks]

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

This is more like a witch hunt.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Sticks

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

This is more like a witch hunt.

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

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Sticks

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

This is more like a witch hunt.

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

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

Harsh, but fair .....

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methinks she doth protest too much .....

[Omah]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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