Phone hacking: NI lawyer says he knew its 'rogue reporter' defence was wrong

[dipsydoodle]

Source: The Guardian

A lawyer who acted for News International (NI) over phone-hacking claims has told MPs he knew the company had misled parliament about the affair but he had not acted because of client confidentiality.

Julian Pike, a partner at Farrer & Co, the law firm whose clients include the Queen, told MPs on the Commons culture, media and sport select committee on Wednesday that he was aware the company's "rogue reporter" defence was untrue.

Pike said he had seen evidence in 2008 that suggested an additional three News of the World journalists were involved in hacking voicemail messages and had informed NI of this. NI executives told MPs two years ago that phone hacking was the work of a single journalist. It has emerged since then that the practice was more widespread.

Pike also stated that the former News of the World head of legal, Tom Crone, had prepared a briefing document for Colin Myler ahead of a meeting the former editor had with James Murdoch, who was then chairman of NI, about the Gordon Taylor claim in June 2008. Pike said he saw briefing notes that said there was evidence of widespread hacking at the News of the World. But he added that the document did not make a direct reference to an email sent "for Neville", which contained a transcript of messages left on Taylor's phone.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/oct/19/phone-hacking-lawyer-ni-rogue-reporter

[Kingofalldems]

1. The last quote in the article says it all

Ouch!

[beac]

2. One of the most accurate descriptions I've ever read of Murdoch. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, dipsydoodle.