Hacking scandal closes on Murdoch
Source: Agencies |
August 18, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE taint of Britain's phone-hacking scandal was creeping closer to media baron Rupert Murdoch yesterday as journalists dissected correspondence which appeared to cast doubt on denials given by some of his most trusted lieutenants.
New documents published by UK lawmakers investigating the scandal apparently contradict claims made by the News Corp chief's former right-hand man and challenge testimony to investigators by his son James Murdoch.
Among them is a letter claiming illegal espionage was pervasive at Murdoch's now-closed News of the World.
Former Murdoch confidante Les Hinton said in 2009 he had seen no evidence that phone hacking had spread beyond a single rogue reporter at the tabloid. Yet Hinton is among those copied in on the explosive letter.
It was written by former royal reporter Clive Goodman four years ago in an appeal against his dismissal from the newspaper. In it he said the practice of hacking was openly discussed until the then editor Andy Coulson banned any open reference to it.
Coulson, who has repeatedly denied all knowledge of the practice, went on to become the official spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron.
"This practice was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by the editor," Goodman wrote.
"Other members of staff were carrying out the same illegal procedures."
In addition, Tom Crone, a former top legal officer at the company, claims he told James Murdoch in 2008 about an email revealing widespread hacking.
New documents published by UK lawmakers investigating the scandal apparently contradict claims made by the News Corp chief's former right-hand man and challenge testimony to investigators by his son James Murdoch.
Among them is a letter claiming illegal espionage was pervasive at Murdoch's now-closed News of the World.
Former Murdoch confidante Les Hinton said in 2009 he had seen no evidence that phone hacking had spread beyond a single rogue reporter at the tabloid. Yet Hinton is among those copied in on the explosive letter.
It was written by former royal reporter Clive Goodman four years ago in an appeal against his dismissal from the newspaper. In it he said the practice of hacking was openly discussed until the then editor Andy Coulson banned any open reference to it.
Coulson, who has repeatedly denied all knowledge of the practice, went on to become the official spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron.
"This practice was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by the editor," Goodman wrote.
"Other members of staff were carrying out the same illegal procedures."
In addition, Tom Crone, a former top legal officer at the company, claims he told James Murdoch in 2008 about an email revealing widespread hacking.
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