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Operation Elveden: how Murdoch, the CPS and the police got it so wrong Operation Elveden: how Murdoch, the CPS and the police got it so wrong
(about 11 hours later)
After the clearing of two more Sun journalists on charges connected with paying public officials, it’s fair to ask where this leaves Operation Elveden in the annals of jurisprudence.After the clearing of two more Sun journalists on charges connected with paying public officials, it’s fair to ask where this leaves Operation Elveden in the annals of jurisprudence.
Neither the Crown Prosection Service (CPS) nor the Metropolitan Police emerge from this business at all well.Neither the Crown Prosection Service (CPS) nor the Metropolitan Police emerge from this business at all well.
Juries, however, deserve praise for having seen through the prosecution’s blather to acquit all but one journalist, Anthony France, arraigned before them. And I fully expect him to win his appeal.Juries, however, deserve praise for having seen through the prosecution’s blather to acquit all but one journalist, Anthony France, arraigned before them. And I fully expect him to win his appeal.
If so, it will mean that no journalist charged under Elveden will have been found guilty. To echo the words of the lawyer who represented Sun reporter Jamie Pyatt, Nigel Rumfitt QC, the CPS made a “monumental error of judgment in pursuing the case”. If so, it will mean that no journalist charged under Elveden will have been found guilty. To echo the words of one of the lawyers who represented Sun reporter Jamie Pyatt and head of news, Chris Pharo, the CPS made a “monumental error of judgment in pursuing the case”.
But let’s not overlook how and why this all began. Some staff working for the News of the World were guilty of intercepting voicemail messages and/or knowing it happened.But let’s not overlook how and why this all began. Some staff working for the News of the World were guilty of intercepting voicemail messages and/or knowing it happened.
For several years, Rupert Murdoch’s organisation - in company with the Met police - failed to investigate those hacking allegations at the paper. Even when concrete evidence came to light (via the Guardian’s intrepid Nick Davies) both News International and the Met went even deeper into denial mode.For several years, Rupert Murdoch’s organisation - in company with the Met police - failed to investigate those hacking allegations at the paper. Even when concrete evidence came to light (via the Guardian’s intrepid Nick Davies) both News International and the Met went even deeper into denial mode.
Finally, however, once the truth could no longer be denied, News International panicked and opened up its confidential files to scrutiny by the police. It handed over emails, invoices and memos.Finally, however, once the truth could no longer be denied, News International panicked and opened up its confidential files to scrutiny by the police. It handed over emails, invoices and memos.
And the police, embarrassed by its hacking failure, thought it had got something on Murdoch’s journalists after all once it was handed evidence of payments to public officials.And the police, embarrassed by its hacking failure, thought it had got something on Murdoch’s journalists after all once it was handed evidence of payments to public officials.
The result? Arrests in unwarranted dawn raids; people placed on bail for months, often years, on end; several careers wrecked; major health crises in some cases; heartache and heartbreak.The result? Arrests in unwarranted dawn raids; people placed on bail for months, often years, on end; several careers wrecked; major health crises in some cases; heartache and heartbreak.
And to what end? It has concluded with the conviction of 26 public officials, many of them serving jail time. They broke contracts; but did they really break the law?And to what end? It has concluded with the conviction of 26 public officials, many of them serving jail time. They broke contracts; but did they really break the law?
Is it just for them to have been convicted of a crime that few knew existed because it had not been used in their lifetime? Has it been of public benefit to prosecute the journalists and their sources?Is it just for them to have been convicted of a crime that few knew existed because it had not been used in their lifetime? Has it been of public benefit to prosecute the journalists and their sources?
As for Murdoch’s company, is it not a scandal that its journalists were prosecuted for making payments that its senior executives not only sanctioned but encouraged?As for Murdoch’s company, is it not a scandal that its journalists were prosecuted for making payments that its senior executives not only sanctioned but encouraged?
I was convinced from early on that people, several of whom I knew well, would never have been guilty of knowingly committing a crime. Let me mention one: John Kay.I was convinced from early on that people, several of whom I knew well, would never have been guilty of knowingly committing a crime. Let me mention one: John Kay.
He was such a scrupulous reporter that when he heard about phone hacking he actually warned colleagues and bosses about it being a crime and that the Sun should have no part in it.He was such a scrupulous reporter that when he heard about phone hacking he actually warned colleagues and bosses about it being a crime and that the Sun should have no part in it.
I have known him since 1981 and regard him as one of the very best reporters I ever observed at work. He approached every story with the kind of boyish enthusiasm of a trainee; he mentored more junior staff with kindness and understanding; he was the life and soul of the newsroom.I have known him since 1981 and regard him as one of the very best reporters I ever observed at work. He approached every story with the kind of boyish enthusiasm of a trainee; he mentored more junior staff with kindness and understanding; he was the life and soul of the newsroom.
The day he was arrested I knew the police had got it wrong. The day he was charged I knew the CPS had got it wrong. He was broken by the humiliation of arrest and charge. The human cost of Elveden, for the journalists and their sources, has been awful.The day he was arrested I knew the police had got it wrong. The day he was charged I knew the CPS had got it wrong. He was broken by the humiliation of arrest and charge. The human cost of Elveden, for the journalists and their sources, has been awful.
No apology from Murdoch could be good enough to make up for what has happened to his staff.No apology from Murdoch could be good enough to make up for what has happened to his staff.