Missing Milly Dowler's voicemail "hacked by News of the World"

[London_Calling]

It is remarkable, though, that - just as an example - Rebekah Brooks had previously admitted criminal behaviour (buying information from police informants) in public, in front of a Parliamentary Select Committee and no one did a thing about it. Such was Murdoch's grip on the political class, the police and the media.

 

[Badgers]

Did they hack John Terry?

 

[Badgers]

Private investigators following lawyers?

 

[editor]

James Murdoch is going to be fucking roasted on this.

 

[Santino]

Paxman promised further revelations on Newsnight tonight.

 

[Badgers]

James Murdoch is going to be fucking roasted on this.

A News International spokesperson said : "News International's enquiries have led the company to believe that Mark Lewis and Charlotte Harris were subject to surveillance. While surveillance is not illegal, it was clearly deeply inappropriate in these circumstances. This action was not condoned by any current executive at the company."

It is gold isn't it?

 

[editor]

Paxman promised further revelations on Newsnight tonight.

It's the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[claphamboy]

I was just going to post exactly that.

 

[Badgers]

James Murdoch is preparing to concede in front of MPs that News Corporation should have taken further action earlier to investigate allegations that phone hacking was more widespread at the News of the World than the actions of a single rogue reporter.

The News Corporation boss is to appear before the culture media and sport select committee on Thursday ready to admit that more could have been done between 2007 and 2010 when first insiders and later rivalnewspapers said the illegal practice was widely deployed.

It will a good day to dig up bad news

 

[London_Calling]

But, again, while inappropriate, distasteful and worse, nothing actually illegal...

You might even argue - from the pov of News International - that as Lewis and Harris had 'public profiles' (whatever that may be) it was legitimate and potentially in the public interest to explore their personal lives; any future legislation on privacy will have to include a public interest defence, and that defence might legitimise actions such as this. It would only become illegal if News International tried to manipulate, blackmail, etc.

We have to note, News International didn't publish anything about these two, and didn't approach these two.

Privacy/public interest is a friggin minefield, for sure.

And fwiw, this Committee is a self-aggrandising, amateur fucking circus, they should shut up and let the Public inquiry do its job.

 

[butchersapron]

Harris suggested on radio five earlier that Mark Watson was 'under surveillance'.

 

[Santino]

Harris suggested on radio five earlier that Mark Watson was 'under surveillance'.

The inoffensive, cider-advertising comedian?

 

[London_Calling]

'under surveillance' is a lovely, evocative phrase. Far more interesting than the reality of some sweaty, middle-aged fat bloke following people around while trying to control his bladder.

But enough of my hobbies.

 

[butchersapron]

The inoffensive, cider-advertising comedian?

You don't know about his other side.

Tom Watson.

 

[belboid]

For the umpteenth time, there is no public interest defense for hacking. That's why people are getting arrested.

 

[London_Calling]

We are talking about the 'surveillance' (and where that may lead) of two solicitors by the party they were, in the legal sense, opposing. Hacking is taken as read, this is about information gathering in the widest possible sense.

 

[laptop]

fwiw, this Committee is a self-aggrandising, amateur fucking circus, they should shut up and let the Public inquiry do its job.

But:

1) the purpose of the Public Inquiry is to kick it all into the long grass

2) in contrast the Select Committee's sense of timing is a major reason why the story keeps building instead of going away

3) I live in hope that the SC is going to go after other tabloid bastards - when the time is right to keep the story building

 

[London_Calling]

I'm not sure 'long grass' is that helpful when the PI must, by definition of its extent, last at least as long as this Parliament. I suppose the terms could have been narrower - in order to report during this Parliament - but you can imagine the fuss if they tried that...

In relation to Tom Watson and that way-way-out-of-his-depth Chair, it's USA style grandstanding, surely. Having said that, Watson surely deserves his moment in the spotlight - he's certainly making sure he gets it.

 

[laptop]

that way-way-out-of-his-depth Chair...

I'm in a bind here: on principle, I must despise anyone who was PPS to Thatcher. And Whittingdale may appear to bumble. But he's very, very sharp indeed and I want to like him. [/confessions]

I think Farrelly is underrated, too.

 

[Gingerman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/15644038
More shit for Murdoch to answer to

 

[London_Calling]

I'm in a bind here: on principle, I must despise anyone who was PPS to Thatcher. And Whittingdale may appear to bumble. But he's very, very sharp indeed and I want to like him. [/confessions]

I think Farrelly is underrated, too.

The difficulty for me is they are not trained for this type of work, let alone professional inquisitors. Thus Whittingdale's significant gaff towards the end of the Murdoch appearance when he shut down Watson's really very interesting line of questioning, much to Watson's chagrin. He's not getting stuff in real time.

Plus, he has a poxy 2ii in Economics from UCL

 

[Kaka Tim]

East Germany had the Stasi. We had news international.
This wasn't all about getting juicy stories to sell, it was also to gather information to help control and cajoul influential people in order to further the interests of Murdochs crime cartel.
That - to me is far worse then the profit driven muck racking - is a hugely corrupting influence at the heart of the body politic.

 

[London_Calling]

You should have gone straight to the Gestapo and be done with it.

 

[weltweit]

When is Murdock Junior next in front of the parliamentary committee?

 

[London_Calling]

Next week, and he's likely to be upstaged by a man who might have enough on Therea May for her to be forced to resign.

 

[coltrane]

Next week, and he's likely to be upstaged by a man who might have enough on Therea May for her to be forced to resign.

James Murdoch's next appearance before the select committee supposed to be at 11am on Thu 10th Nov.

I agree with your frustration about the people asking the questions, there should be a paid barrister to ask succinct and pointed questions. The questions asked are long winded waffle fests - the honourable exception has been Tom Watson whose questions rarely went over a dozen words when the Murdochs last appeared before the select committee.

 

[weltweit]

James Murdoch's next appearance before the select committee supposed to be at 11am on Thu 10th Nov.

Ta, I thought it was this week.

I agree with your frustration about the people asking the questions, there should be a paid barrister to ask succinct and pointed questions. The questions asked are long winded waffle fests - the honourable exception has been Tom Watson whose questions rarely went over a dozen words when the Murdochs last appeared before the select committee.

There is something about Britain in that we somehow accept amateurs doing things for which professionals would do a better job. Hmm Now that I have said that I can't think of too many other examples! :-(

 

[Santino]

Yes, what we need is more lawyers.

 

[The Octagon]

In this specific instance, yes. Yes we do.

Preferably angry ones.

Where's Atticus Finch when you need him?

 

[Badgers]

I can't watch the fun today sadly, will be travelling. Am sure it will be on a radio station so will have a listen.