Hacking inquiry – Hacked off

Meetings between journalists and politicians can be “a potential conspiracy against the public”, the Daily Telegraph political commentator has warned. Peter Oborne told the Leveson Inquiry today meetings between ministers and newspaper moguls can be even more dangerous. In a written statement, he said: “Meetings between journalists and politicians should be viewed as a potential conspiracy against [...]

Labour minister Jack Straw has claimed Rupert Murdoch “seems to enjoy playing with political leaders”. The MP, who held several senior positions under the Labour government, said the proprietor is interested in power and using political connections to help open doors on media policy. During his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry today, Straw admitted he [...]

Alastair Campbell returned to the Leveson Inquiry today to deny an “express deal” between Tony Blair and Rupert Murdoch. The former Labour spin doctor said Murdoch turned his newspaper’s support to the party after it became obvious Blair would win the 1997 general election. He admitted the Sun was seen as a “significant player” in [...]

News International has today called the suggestion Rupert Murdoch struck a secret deal with Margaret Thatcher “a flight from reality”. Speaking at the Leveson Inquiry, Rhodri Davies QC, representing the company, said an opening statement to module 3 of the inquiry, examining the relationship between politicians and the press, unfairly represented the former prime minister’s [...]

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks discussed phone hacking allegations with David Cameron, the Leveson Inquiry has heard. The former News International chief executive said she had spoken about the scandal with the Prime Minister on a few occasions between 2009 and 2011 in general terms, and after the Guardian reported missing teenager Milly [...]

“I should have gone there and thrown all the damn lawyers out of the place” (Rupert Murdoch, Leveson Inquiry, Thursday 26th April 2012, p.68) Amongst the many people and organisations Rupert Murdoch lambasted during his two days in the stand at the Leveson Inquiry this week, lawyers and law firms were particularly prominent. Lawyers and [...]