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News International clash with MP News International clash with MP
(31 minutes later)
A lawyer for News International has said Labour MP Tom Watson should not be allowed to question them.A lawyer for News International has said Labour MP Tom Watson should not be allowed to question them.
Tom Crone is being quizzed by the culture committee about phone tapping at the News of the World. Tom Crone is being quizzed by the culture committee about phone hacking at the News of the World.
He threatened to complain to the Parliamentary authorities if Mr Watson takes part in the questioning.He threatened to complain to the Parliamentary authorities if Mr Watson takes part in the questioning.
Mr Watson, who is involved in a legal case with News International, accused the firm of "attempting to interfere with the work of the committee".Mr Watson, who is involved in a legal case with News International, accused the firm of "attempting to interfere with the work of the committee".
The former cabinet office minister began the committee hearing by saying he was being represented by Carter Ruck, the well-known libel lawyers, in a dispute with The Sun newspaper, another of News International's titles.
Mr Crone said News International had delivered a letter to the committee on Monday evening to object to Mr Watson's presence on the committee.
"Under Parliamentary rules and also the principles, I think, of natural justice and of Article 6 of the Human Rights Act, it seems to us quite improper that Mr Watson is sitting on this panel, dealing News Group Newspapers Limited, with whom he is in litigation.
"If he remains, we will be making a complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner."
Committee chairman, Tory MP John Whittingdale, said advice from the Speaker's Council was that it does not interfere with his ability to take part in the inquiry.
Mr Whittingdale, began by saying he had stood aside as a member of the Conservative Party board, which is the employer of ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson, during the committee's investigation.
Andy Coulson, now Conservative Party director of communications, will appear before the culture and media select committee later.Andy Coulson, now Conservative Party director of communications, will appear before the culture and media select committee later.
He will be asked what he knew about his journalists' activities when he was in charge of the Sunday tabloid.He will be asked what he knew about his journalists' activities when he was in charge of the Sunday tabloid.
The Guardian has claimed up to 3,000 public figures had their phones hacked in an attempt to obtain stories. Mr Crone and News of the World editor Colin Myler also confirmed News International had made a payment to Gordon Taylor, head of the Professional Footballers' Association, and two others, which was the basis of The Guardian's phone hacking allegations.
The Guardian has also claimed up to 3,000 public figures had their phones hacked in an attempt to obtain stories.
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Committee chairman John Whittingdale told the BBC there were a lot of questions for Mr Coulson to answer. Mr Whittingdale earlier told the BBC there were a lot of questions for Mr Coulson to answer.
He said: "He has made clear he didn't know what was going on. We will obviously want to press him on that, we will want him to confirm that was the case, and we'll want to ask him about what was going on in the newspaper which allowed this to go on. "He has made clear he didn't know what was going on. We will obviously want to press him on that, we will want him to confirm that was the case, and we'll want to ask him about what was going on in the newspaper which allowed this to go on," Mr Whittingdale said.
"Until we hear his evidence and that of the other witnesses appearing before us we will reserve judgement.""Until we hear his evidence and that of the other witnesses appearing before us we will reserve judgement."
News of the World royal reporter Clive Goodman was jailed two years ago after pleading guilty to hacking into the phone messages of royal staff. Private investigator Glen Mulcaire was also jailed.News of the World royal reporter Clive Goodman was jailed two years ago after pleading guilty to hacking into the phone messages of royal staff. Private investigator Glen Mulcaire was also jailed.
Mr Coulson, who was editor of the News of the World between 2003 and 2007, resigned but he denied being aware of what was going on in the Goodman case.Mr Coulson, who was editor of the News of the World between 2003 and 2007, resigned but he denied being aware of what was going on in the Goodman case.
He said he resigned because he bore "ultimate responsibility" for what happened "on his watch".He said he resigned because he bore "ultimate responsibility" for what happened "on his watch".
Last week the Guardian claimed the practice was much more widespread, affecting "thousands" of celebrities and politicians.Last week the Guardian claimed the practice was much more widespread, affecting "thousands" of celebrities and politicians.