Coulson under the spotlight again
Peter Hoskin 9:30am
The New York Times Magazine's article about phone hacking at the News of the World comes, it must be said, a little out of the blue. It's over
a year since the story last exercised printing presses in the UK – and a year, too, since David Cameron's communications chief, Andy Coulson, was hauled in front of MPs to explain what happened under his editorship of the paper. Back then, he distanced
himself from the dubious methods of some Screws reporters, saying that he was neither aware of, nor complicit in, any phone hacking. And, in the absence of any countervailing evidence, the
process left Coulson with a few light bruises, but no real scars.
But today's article contains material that could put the heat on Coulson once again. Alex has a great round-up here, including some important allegations about Scotland Yard – but the one which could resonate
most in Westminster is that the former Screws editor knew more than he admitted:
For his part, Coulson has already denied the allegations. But, whether true or not, they will still cause discomfort for him and the government. It is, after all, never ideal to have a behind-the-scenes operator dragged onto the news pages – especially when that operator works for No.10."A dozen former reporters said in interviews that hacking was pervasive at News of the World. 'Everyone knew,' one longtime reporter said. 'The office cat knew.'One former editor said Coulson talked freely with colleagues about the dark arts, including hacking. 'I’ve been to dozens if not hundreds of meetings with Andy' when the subject came up, said the former editor, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The editor added that when Coulson would ask where a story came from, editors would reply, 'We’ve pulled the phone records' or 'I’ve listened to the phone messages.'
Sean Hoare, a former reporter and onetime close friend of Coulson’s, also recalled discussing hacking. The two men first worked together at The Sun, where, Hoare said, he played tape recordings of hacked messages for Coulson. At News of the World, Hoare said he continued to inform Coulson of his pursuits. Coulson 'actively encouraged me to do it,' Hoare said."
Previous
Sally Chatterjee
September 2nd, 2010 9:47am Report this commentI don't think he's essential to the government or even the Conservative Party. If he can't fall on his sword, he should be dropped on it.
Daragh McDowell
September 2nd, 2010 10:12am Report this commentNice to see the Speccy covering this. Indeed it would be nice if more of the media would get on to Coulson and off the looney-tunes story about Hague.
Cuffleyburgers
September 2nd, 2010 10:15am Report this commentLooks like a concerted attempt to hit the tories - the Hague issue, Coulson coming under fire again, and all "coinciding" with the release of Blair's wretched book, the nonentity election (who, he?) and just before conference season... Undoubtedly enemy action - just what has Mandelson been up to since finishing on the losing side in the election? Claiming benefits?
davidk
September 2nd, 2010 10:23am Report this commentIt's a disgrace this man is anywhere near 10 Downing Street.
Chuck Unsworth
September 2nd, 2010 10:34am Report this commentSummarised as follows:
Politics is a mucky old game.
yank
September 2nd, 2010 11:11am Report this commentDaragh McDowell: "Nice to see the Speccy covering this. Indeed it would be nice if more of the media would get on to Coulson and off the looney-tunes story about Hague."
.
.
Why not cover both? They are one and the same... senior governmental officials acting corruptly... and blind partisans feverishly working to protect both... as here at the Spectator.
The one has a senior governmental official illegitimately enriching his buddy, an unqualified kid totally lacking in experience for the stated position, and with whom he may or may have not been engaging in a homosexual relationship, and accompanied by a smokescreen of hiding behind his wife and marriage and marital tragedies therein, a smokescreen that evidently is selling perfectly well over there on the pile of rocks.
The other has a hack openly involved in violations of personal privacy, now working for government, and giving access to the BBC's private competitors.
You want to clean up government? Start right here with these 2 cases. Both these guys must go.
And if the Spectator censors this post again, as it did in that other discussion... then you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Dave B
September 2nd, 2010 11:15am Report this commentI'm a bit surprised that the NY Times would run with such a non-story.
Last time I looked the NY Times was loosing buckets of cash, I wonder if they are hoping to poach The Guardian's web traffic?
Chris lancashire
September 2nd, 2010 11:46am Report this commentYawn. Whatever.
Alastair Campbell still makes Coulson look like a schoolboy - he was just better at it.
Daragh McDowell
September 2nd, 2010 12:58pm Report this commentYank - your statement is full of holes and nonsense I'm afraid
"The one has a senior governmental official illegitimately enriching his buddy, an unqualified kid totally lacking in experience for the stated position,"
- *Ahem* Whatever a SpAd may be described as, its not exactly a secret that many of them are simply glorified PAs. As this one was - Hague has responsibilities beyond the FCO (mainly administrative) that Myers is more than capable to assist with as a SpAd.
"and with whom he may or may have not been engaging in a homosexual relationship,"
- What the hell does this mean? Its verbal construct literally devoid of content. You may or may not be engaged in a homosexual relationship with Myers. Or indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ. Or you may or may not be a vicious serial-killer. There is ZERO evidence that Hague was having an affiar with Myers.
"and accompanied by a smokescreen of hiding behind his wife and marriage and marital tragedies therein, a smokescreen that evidently is selling perfectly well over there on the pile of rocks."
You may not be aware of the cultural differences here Yank, but old school Tories still tend to see any marriage without kids as 'evidence' of the Groom's homosexuality. Sad but true.
This is a story based on sleazey innuendo and gossip, with not an ounce of actual, factual reporting or evidence behind it, and transparently appealing to latent right-wing homophobia.
Woody
September 2nd, 2010 7:02pm Report this commentI heard Alastair Campbell mention this on Radio5live earlier today - looks like the Labour dirty tricks dept is getting fired up ready for a long and dirty campaign!
Richard of York
September 2nd, 2010 10:14pm Report this commentWoody
This is not Labour dirty tricks.
This is American scutiny of a story Murdock thought he had buried.
The silly season is over and now the real fun begins.
Ian Stewart
September 3rd, 2010 9:49am Report this commentReally looks as if Coulson is either too stupid for his job, or too wicked.
The man seems from the article to have bugged his way to the top, illegally, whilst denying all knowledge of it! Given that no-one can trust the Murdochs when it comes to political support, why do our politicos pander to them so much?
adrian harper
September 3rd, 2010 1:29pm Report this commenti love how tories try to make excuses for tory corruption and blame it on a labour party dirty tricks dept. hilarious.
imagine the outrage on right wing papers,mags ,blogs etc if it was campbell and not coulson.
incidentally the push to out hague came from the distinctly right wing guido fawkes blog not the left.
Carl Barron
September 3rd, 2010 8:31pm Report this commentBBC News states: Prescott may seek judicial review of phone hack claims.
That’s really ripe coming from Prescott, as it was under the now ‘Discredited David Blunket’s Directive’ that all Councils could Tap the UK phone lines so ‘Hack, Tap’ whatever you want to call it is an invasion of ‘Civil Rights’.
Does anyone honestly believe that any such information gained might not be used to sell to others?
Town hall bureaucrats have been caught snooping on private details held on a giant 'Big Brother' tax and benefits database. Link to cover story here > http://tinyurl.com/3y6nfc8
Remember the threat by UK Gov of £500,000 under the new powers for Data breaches?
So come on UK Gov start fining the ‘Town Hall Data Breacher’s’.
Come on Privacy regulator the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) do you darn.
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
Back to top