DPP tells of police “pushback” on hacking investigation
The Director of Public Prosecutions has said there was a “degree of pushback” from former Metropolitan police assistant commissioner John Yates against his suggestion of investigating the infamous “for...
View ArticleMurdochs booked in for three-day grilling at Leveson Inquiry
Rupert and James Murdoch are set to give evidence at the Leveson Inquiry into press standards next week. Two days have been set aside for Rupert Murdoch’s long-awaited appearance, as the Inquiry moves...
View ArticleRupert Murdoch admits News of the World phone-hacking cover-up
In a second day of testimony before the Leveson Inquiry, Rupert Murdoch admitted that “one or two strong characters” were responsible for a cover-up of the phone hacking scandal at News International....
View ArticleRupert Murdoch “not a fit person” to run major global company, MPs say
Rupert Murdoch is “not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company”, a committee of MPs has concluded today. In a damning report on News International and phone hacking,...
View ArticleTessa Jowell says family “destroyed” by press
The former secretary for culture media and sport told the Leveson Inquiry today that her family had “been destroyed” by intense media harassment. Tessa Jowell, culture secretary from 2001 to 2007,...
View ArticleAlan Johnson lashes out at “spiteful” press, but warns against over-regulation
A former home secretary has attacked elements of the British press as “spiteful”, telling Lord Justice Leveson today that problems of nastiness were rooted in culture. “Why are some elements of the...
View ArticlePaxman recalls Piers Morgan hacking conversation
Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman has claimed former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan once showed him how to hack a phone. Speaking at the Leveson Inquiry this afternoon, Paxman recalled a September...
View ArticleOsborne defends Coulson appointment
Chancellor George Osborne has defended his party’s decision to hire former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as the Conservatives’ communications chief. In a seemingly well-rehearsed appearance...
View ArticleBrooks to PM: “We’re in this together”
David Cameron has said statutory regulation must be a “last resort” in reforming the British press. Spending the day giving evidence before the Leveson Inquiry today, the prime minister — who himself...
View ArticleWould it have been OK to hack Jimmy Savile’s phone?
As already mentioned on this blog, at least one editor has said the libel laws made him nervous of printing allegations of broadcaster Jimmy Savile’s abuse of young girls. There are certainly more...
View Article
