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Rebekah Brooks at the Leveson inquiry - live coverage Rebekah Brooks at the Leveson inquiry - live coverage
(40 minutes later)
11.34am: Jay turns to the Sun's support for the Tories, which James Murdoch told David Cameron about at an informal meeting on 9 September 2009 at the George in London.
In June 2009, Brooks, Sun political editor Trevor Kavanagh and the Murdochs "did start to have discussions", she says.
Brooks says that by that time the Sun had "lost things to support Gordon Brown on" so began to consider a change in political allegiance.
Was the decision based on who was likely to win the election?
Brooks says it was about the Sun's readership: "There were lots of issues that our readers were concerned about."
She adds that that summer the Sun had not written one editorial in support of Labour.
Jay asks again if any part of this decision was based on who was likely to win the election.
"In general terms it would have been, but only a part of it because I can't remember the polls at the time. The Tories were in the lead back then, but polls are polls."
She says the floating voter is important for the Sun. The "overwhelming feedback" from readers was that they were unhappy with Labour, she adds.
11.31am: Brooks met Cameron in Greece while she was there for Elisabeth Murdoch's birthday. He was only there for an afternoon and an evening, she says.
Jay asks whether Brooks was pleased with this occasion.
"Well, it was very cordial, it went well," she says.
Cameron also attended a New Year's Eve party at the home of a Brooks family member, Jay says.
11.19am: The inquiry has resumed and Jay asks about the Tory leadership election.
Brooks says: "I don't remember having a particular line in the paper about the leadership."
Did you have any involvement in Andy Coulson's appointment as director of communications for the Conservative party?
Brooks replies "No." She adds that she heard about it from Andy Coulson.
What was her reaction? "I probably said 'well done'... he had had to resign from the News of the World and he had found a good job; as a friend I was pleased for him."
Was she surprised that the Tory party wanted to appoint Coulson?
Not really: journalists are good communicators. Alastair Campbell went to the Mirror, Amanda Platell worked for William Hague. There is a long history of journalists going into politics, didn't occur to me as anything different.
11.17am: Here is a brief summary of Brooks's evidence so far:
• Brooks received commiseration mOoffice when she quit News International over phone hacking
• Tony Blair and his aides described by Brooks as "constant presence in my life for years"
• Witness statement reveals Brooks discussed News Corp bid for BSkyB with David Cameron and George Osborne in December 2010 "but no inappropriate conversations"
11.15am: Here are Brooks's meetings with prime ministers from 2005 to 2010, according to notes taken by the Guardian's Dan Sabbagh at the inquiry.
21 April 2005 – Tony Blair meeting No 10
4 August 2005 – Blair meeting
1 September 2005 – Blair dinner
6 April 2006 – Blair dinner restaurant
12 June 2006 – Blair dinner home of Matthew Freud + Elisabeth Murodch
24 July 2006 – Blair dinner
20 Sep 2006 – Blair dinner
1 December 2006 – Blair meeting Chequers
21 January 2007 – Blair drinks No 10
25 April 2007 Blair dinner restaurant
15 May 2007 – Blair dinner restaurant
8 May 2007 – Blair meeting Woodstock
1 August 2007 – Brown meeting No 10
9 September 2007 – Brown lunch
10 December 2007 – Brown drinks
10 March 2008 – Brown dinner
15 January 2009 – Brown dinner, home of Gordon and Sarah
30 March 089 – Brown phone call
13 June 2010 – Cameron Chequers
13 August 2010 – Cameron Chequers
4 October 2010 – Cameron Conservative party
9 October 2010 – Cameron Chequers
23 December 2010 – Cameron Brooks's home
11.11am: The inquiry is now taking a short break.
11.09am: Brooks is asked about her social circle.
Is it true there was a circle of friends including her, Wendi Murdoch, Elisabeth Murdoch and, at one stage, Sarah Brown?
"We all knew each other, we didn't meet as a group like that very often, probably only once," she says.
11.08am: Jay asks Brooks about the deteriorating relationship with Brown.
He says that by March 2009 the Sun was moving inexorably towards supporting the Conservative party. "Not quite the way I would describe it," Brooks replies.
She says it was around March 2009, maybe a bit later, when Brown announced the referendum on the European constitution, they were going to renege on that. The Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Sun called for a snap election in the autumn of 2009.
Brooks says that the Sun was considered a "very pro-armed forces" newspaper so received a lot of feedback from readers about the government's Afghanistan campaign.
11.03am: Jay asks if Brooks had much less contact with Brown as PM than Blair.
"He wasn't prime minister for very long, in 2009 the Sun came out for the Tories and contact was very limited after that," says Brooks.
11.02am: Jay says it has been suggested Brooks passed on material gained from Gordon Brown to Tony Blair – is that true?
"No it isn't. And I think your source might be John Prescott. It's not true."
11.00am: Jay turns to a particular Sun article, from 2005, which said there had been a crushing blow to Gordon Brown's hopes as PM. It said Blair had told close allies intends to lead Labour for five more years.
Where did that come from, asks Jay. Was it Blair, did he plant it? "I can't tell you that at all."
10.58am: Was the support of your paper at election time the subject of prior discussion with Mr Blair or his advisors?
Brooks: "Not in 2001 that I can remember. In 2005 it was a very difficult time for the Labour party. I'm pretty sure it was Michael Howard who was leader of the opposition. The Sun under my editorship we were very even handed during that election process."
Was the fact of the Sun's support discussed with Blair or his advisers?
Brooks: "Not that I can remember. It wouldn't be that way. I think in 2005 the Sun, we left it right to the day. We erected in a vatican style chimney on the roof of Wapping, whatever coloured smoke - sorry, it was funny at the time, clearly lost in translation - whatever smoke came up. We had red smoke and blue smoke ... I'm not sure we could find any yellow smoke at the time. I remember being on the roof of Wapping and looking down and seeing all the press guys. I didn't see Mr Blair with them waiting."
Jay asks again. Brooks: "No, I don't remember having a prior discussion with them about it. In 2005 we didn't tell anyone until we got to the roof of Wapping."
10.57am: How often was Blair at home of Matthew Freud and Elisabeth Murdoch when he was prime minister? "Very few." A handful? "Maximum, yes."10.57am: How often was Blair at home of Matthew Freud and Elisabeth Murdoch when he was prime minister? "Very few." A handful? "Maximum, yes."
10.53am: Jay asks Brooks's dinners with Blair between 2003 and 2007 were always one to one or if someone else was there.10.53am: Jay asks Brooks's dinners with Blair between 2003 and 2007 were always one to one or if someone else was there.
"From memory I had about three dinners with Mr Blair on my own," she says."From memory I had about three dinners with Mr Blair on my own," she says.
10.52am: Rebekah Brooks's two witness statements have now been published on the Leveson inquiry website.10.52am: Rebekah Brooks's two witness statements have now been published on the Leveson inquiry website.
10.49am: Brooks is asked about her relationship with Blair and Brown.10.49am: Brooks is asked about her relationship with Blair and Brown.
She says that hostilities between Brown and Blair became "increasingly worse" in the latter years of Blair's premiership.She says that hostilities between Brown and Blair became "increasingly worse" in the latter years of Blair's premiership.
But whose side was she on? "Neither. On the side of the readers. It was our job to judge and analyse."But whose side was she on? "Neither. On the side of the readers. It was our job to judge and analyse."
You've told us you were friends with Mr Blair. Friends with Brown?You've told us you were friends with Mr Blair. Friends with Brown?
"I was friends with Sarah Brown, an amazing lady. So probably not.""I was friends with Sarah Brown, an amazing lady. So probably not."
She concedes taking Blair's side over the famous "curry house coup" in which the then prime minister and Brown struck a deal over who would be his successor.She concedes taking Blair's side over the famous "curry house coup" in which the then prime minister and Brown struck a deal over who would be his successor.
"In the end, particularly, we were on the side of Mr Blair," she says."In the end, particularly, we were on the side of Mr Blair," she says.
It wasn't a playground spat, we were a newspaper looking after the real serious concerns of our readers. It wasn't that I would stand in one corner of the playground and Alan Rusbridger would stand in the other. It wouldn't work like that.It wasn't a playground spat, we were a newspaper looking after the real serious concerns of our readers. It wasn't that I would stand in one corner of the playground and Alan Rusbridger would stand in the other. It wouldn't work like that.
10.44am: Brooks says that New Labour had "a very big story to tell" and Alastair Campbell "put a huge store on certain newspapers".10.44am: Brooks says that New Labour had "a very big story to tell" and Alastair Campbell "put a huge store on certain newspapers".
She adds that Blair and his aides "were a constant presence in my life for many years".She adds that Blair and his aides "were a constant presence in my life for many years".
Jay asks what steps Brooks took to counter spin by the New Labour government.Jay asks what steps Brooks took to counter spin by the New Labour government.
She replies: "Gordon Brown and Charlie Whelan were masters of spin, more than Alastair Campbell and Tony Blair."She replies: "Gordon Brown and Charlie Whelan were masters of spin, more than Alastair Campbell and Tony Blair."
She says:She says:
If a politician or a PM ever put a friendship with a media executive or company in front of his or her abilities to do their professional duties properly, that is their failing. If a journalist ever compromised their readership or role through a friendship, that is their failing.If a politician or a PM ever put a friendship with a media executive or company in front of his or her abilities to do their professional duties properly, that is their failing. If a journalist ever compromised their readership or role through a friendship, that is their failing.
She does not believe any journalist would report verbatim a line or story given to them by a politician.She does not believe any journalist would report verbatim a line or story given to them by a politician.
10.40am: Jay turns to Brooks's relationship with Tony Blair.10.40am: Jay turns to Brooks's relationship with Tony Blair.
She says Blair did not have a mobile phone or a computer when he was prime minister.She says Blair did not have a mobile phone or a computer when he was prime minister.
On her meetings with Tony Blair, Brooks says:On her meetings with Tony Blair, Brooks says:
"I think it became more frequent when I became editor of the Sun but that would probably go for most politicians. As you heard from Mr Murdoch, Mr Blair flew out to News Corp conference in around 1995 I probably met him shortly after that and they were in power for 10 years. It's over a very long period of time.""I think it became more frequent when I became editor of the Sun but that would probably go for most politicians. As you heard from Mr Murdoch, Mr Blair flew out to News Corp conference in around 1995 I probably met him shortly after that and they were in power for 10 years. It's over a very long period of time."
Did her meetings with politicians increase after you became editor of the Sun? "Yes."Did her meetings with politicians increase after you became editor of the Sun? "Yes."
10.37am: Brooks is asked whether she was embarrassed when Rupert Murdoch said in July last year that he was her top priority, when asked by reporters in the street.10.37am: Brooks is asked whether she was embarrassed when Rupert Murdoch said in July last year that he was her top priority, when asked by reporters in the street.
"I took that to mean this issue … so I wasn't embarrassed at the time," she says."I took that to mean this issue … so I wasn't embarrassed at the time," she says.
10.35am: Jay turns to Brooks's appointment as News International chief executive in 2009.10.35am: Jay turns to Brooks's appointment as News International chief executive in 2009.
Brooks discussed this with James and Rupert Murdoch. She says the decision to appoint her was "both of their ideas".Brooks discussed this with James and Rupert Murdoch. She says the decision to appoint her was "both of their ideas".
She says:She says:
I had been editing the Sun for seven years by then. I was very interested in looking at the future economic models of journalism, how you continue financially to keep high quality journalism going.I had been editing the Sun for seven years by then. I was very interested in looking at the future economic models of journalism, how you continue financially to keep high quality journalism going.
Jay asks if Dominic Mohan was her choice as editor of the Sun.Jay asks if Dominic Mohan was her choice as editor of the Sun.
"Yes, he had been my deputy for several years," she replies. She says she liked the paper he produced in her absence: "I thought he was doing a very good job.""Yes, he had been my deputy for several years," she replies. She says she liked the paper he produced in her absence: "I thought he was doing a very good job."
10.33am: Brooks confirms Murdoch hosted a party for her 40th birthday at which politicians including Tony Blair were present.10.33am: Brooks confirms Murdoch hosted a party for her 40th birthday at which politicians including Tony Blair were present.
10.33am: Murdoch's contact with the News of the World was "much more limited" than with the Sun or other newspapers, Brooks says.10.33am: Murdoch's contact with the News of the World was "much more limited" than with the Sun or other newspapers, Brooks says.
She says Murdoch was "instrumental" in her appointment as editor of the Sun in 2003. Jay asks how often Brooks spoke to him as editor of the Sun.She says Murdoch was "instrumental" in her appointment as editor of the Sun in 2003. Jay asks how often Brooks spoke to him as editor of the Sun.
"Very frequently. It wasn't a regular pattern. Sometimes every day ... very frequently. Mainly when he wasn't in the country.""Very frequently. It wasn't a regular pattern. Sometimes every day ... very frequently. Mainly when he wasn't in the country."
Brooks denies the rumour that she used to swim with Murdoch when he was in London. She also knocks down a rumour that Murdoch sent her a dress to the police station after she was arrested from an alleged assault on former husband Ross Kemp.Brooks denies the rumour that she used to swim with Murdoch when he was in London. She also knocks down a rumour that Murdoch sent her a dress to the police station after she was arrested from an alleged assault on former husband Ross Kemp.
Where is this from, asks Brooks. "Various sources," says Jay, to laughter. "You need better sources," says Brooks.Where is this from, asks Brooks. "Various sources," says Jay, to laughter. "You need better sources," says Brooks.
10.29am: Brooks agrees that editors can "present issues to the readership", but does not agree with the suggestion that they enjoy a unique power.10.29am: Brooks agrees that editors can "present issues to the readership", but does not agree with the suggestion that they enjoy a unique power.
Jay: "You can present issues with a certain attitude?"Jay: "You can present issues with a certain attitude?"
Brooks: "OK."Brooks: "OK."
10.27am: Jay asks why Brooks believes the Sun reflects the mood of the nation.10.27am: Jay asks why Brooks believes the Sun reflects the mood of the nation.
Brooks says:Brooks says:
If you accept the Sun has for many years been the biggest selling paper in the country. The Saturday Sun overtook the News of the World, five years ago maybe longer, in circulation terms, you have this huge readership ... 8 million ... paper next to that is the Daily Mail with 6 million ... such a large percentage of the population would come in contact with the Sun at one time or another.If you accept the Sun has for many years been the biggest selling paper in the country. The Saturday Sun overtook the News of the World, five years ago maybe longer, in circulation terms, you have this huge readership ... 8 million ... paper next to that is the Daily Mail with 6 million ... such a large percentage of the population would come in contact with the Sun at one time or another.
Jay describes newspaper proprietors as "unelected forces". Brooks contests that.Jay describes newspaper proprietors as "unelected forces". Brooks contests that.
He asks what she views them as. "Journalists," she replies.He asks what she views them as. "Journalists," she replies.
Your power is your readership. It's not an individual power. It's a readership power, and I think that's really important … At the Sun, the readers are the most powerful. It's their voice we try and reflect … Every day, the readers can unelect us as newspapers.Your power is your readership. It's not an individual power. It's a readership power, and I think that's really important … At the Sun, the readers are the most powerful. It's their voice we try and reflect … Every day, the readers can unelect us as newspapers.
10.24am: Jay asks if the Sun's editorial line reflected Murdoch's thinking.10.24am: Jay asks if the Sun's editorial line reflected Murdoch's thinking.
Brooks says "the readers' views were always reflected" in the Sun's stance on politics. She adds that she does not believe Murdoch was speaking literally when he told the inquiry politicians should read the leaders in the Sun if they wanted to know what he thought on an issue.Brooks says "the readers' views were always reflected" in the Sun's stance on politics. She adds that she does not believe Murdoch was speaking literally when he told the inquiry politicians should read the leaders in the Sun if they wanted to know what he thought on an issue.
Jay suggests Murdoch was talking about the big issues.Jay suggests Murdoch was talking about the big issues.
"I accept that," says Brooks."I accept that," says Brooks.
10.22am: Brooks is asked about being appointed editor of the News of the World in 2000.10.22am: Brooks is asked about being appointed editor of the News of the World in 2000.
She believes the appointment was Les Hinton's "strong recommendation" but she did not speak to Rupert Murdoch until after she took the job.She believes the appointment was Les Hinton's "strong recommendation" but she did not speak to Rupert Murdoch until after she took the job.
10.21am: Jay turns to Rupert Murdoch.10.21am: Jay turns to Rupert Murdoch.
Brooks says that Murdoch is more interested in the Sun over political issues. "Less so," when she was editor of the News of the World, she adds.Brooks says that Murdoch is more interested in the Sun over political issues. "Less so," when she was editor of the News of the World, she adds.
"We disagreed about quite a few things. More in the margins of it than the principle … so the environment, the DNA database … the amount of celebrity in the paper rather than serious issues," Brooks says. "But in the main, on the big issues, we had similarities.""We disagreed about quite a few things. More in the margins of it than the principle … so the environment, the DNA database … the amount of celebrity in the paper rather than serious issues," Brooks says. "But in the main, on the big issues, we had similarities."
She says Murdoch wanted more serious issues in the Sun whereas Brooks wanted more celebrity content "although he liked The X Factor".She says Murdoch wanted more serious issues in the Sun whereas Brooks wanted more celebrity content "although he liked The X Factor".
10.17am: Brooks is asked about messages from David Cameron.10.17am: Brooks is asked about messages from David Cameron.
She confirms she received a message from Cameron apologising for his lack of support. "Very indirectly," she says, confirming that the message was along those lines.She confirms she received a message from Cameron apologising for his lack of support. "Very indirectly," she says, confirming that the message was along those lines.
Jay asks if Cameron and George Osborne sent her these messages.Jay asks if Cameron and George Osborne sent her these messages.
"And also people who worked in those offices," says Brooks. "Very few Labour politicians.""And also people who worked in those offices," says Brooks. "Very few Labour politicians."
Mr Blair? "Yes."Mr Blair? "Yes."
Probably not Mr Brown? "No. He was probably getting the bunting out."Probably not Mr Brown? "No. He was probably getting the bunting out."
Did Mr Cameron indirectly say keep your head up? "Along those lines, I don't think they were the exact words."Did Mr Cameron indirectly say keep your head up? "Along those lines, I don't think they were the exact words."
Is the gist right? "Yes. It was indirect. It wasn't a direct text message."Is the gist right? "Yes. It was indirect. It wasn't a direct text message."
Jay then asks about the "keep your head up" message, reported to have come from Cameron.Jay then asks about the "keep your head up" message, reported to have come from Cameron.
"It was similar but not direct," says Brooks."It was similar but not direct," says Brooks.
Broadly speaking, that message was delivered to you? "Yes."Broadly speaking, that message was delivered to you? "Yes."
How do these messages come into the public domain? "Journalists doing their job," says Brooks.How do these messages come into the public domain? "Journalists doing their job," says Brooks.
10.15am: Brooks says she had a number of indirect messages of support from "some politicians, some Tories … very few Labour MPs".10.15am: Brooks says she had a number of indirect messages of support from "some politicians, some Tories … very few Labour MPs".
When pressed, she says she received messages of support from "No 10, No 11, Home Office, Foreign Office".When pressed, she says she received messages of support from "No 10, No 11, Home Office, Foreign Office".
Former prime minister Tony Blair sent her a message of support, she says.Former prime minister Tony Blair sent her a message of support, she says.
10.14am: Brooks's BlackBerry was held by Scotland Yard for about three weeks in July 2011, she says.10.14am: Brooks's BlackBerry was held by Scotland Yard for about three weeks in July 2011, she says.
Her BlackBerry was imaged by her legal team, and contained about six weeks of emails and about a month of texts. "We had to image them ... had some problems with that," she adds.Her BlackBerry was imaged by her legal team, and contained about six weeks of emails and about a month of texts. "We had to image them ... had some problems with that," she adds.
It contained emails and texts from the beginning of June 2011 to 17 July 2011, she confirms. One email was from David Cameron.It contained emails and texts from the beginning of June 2011 to 17 July 2011, she confirms. One email was from David Cameron.
"One from Mr Cameron that was compressed in June, but there's no content in it," she says."One from Mr Cameron that was compressed in June, but there's no content in it," she says.
10.10am: Brooks says she has not been able to get "the complete picture" about her various meetings, but has given "a flavour" based on the documents she has been able to retrieve.10.10am: Brooks says she has not been able to get "the complete picture" about her various meetings, but has given "a flavour" based on the documents she has been able to retrieve.
Jay mentions a diary kept by Brooks's former PA.Jay mentions a diary kept by Brooks's former PA.
"Definitely not an Alastair Campbell-style diary," says Brooks."Definitely not an Alastair Campbell-style diary," says Brooks.
10.10am: Brooks joined the Sunday magazine on the News of the World in 1989; she was appointed deputy editor of the News of the World in 1996; and was made deputy editor of the Sun in 1998.10.10am: Brooks joined the Sunday magazine on the News of the World in 1989; she was appointed deputy editor of the News of the World in 1996; and was made deputy editor of the Sun in 1998.
In May 2000 she became editor of the News of the World aged 31. She became editor of the Sun in January 2003 and chief executive of News International from 2 September 2009.In May 2000 she became editor of the News of the World aged 31. She became editor of the Sun in January 2003 and chief executive of News International from 2 September 2009.
10.06am: The inquiry has begun and Rebekah Brooks has taken the witness stand.10.06am: The inquiry has begun and Rebekah Brooks has taken the witness stand.
Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is doing the questioning.Robert Jay QC, counsel to the inquiry, is doing the questioning.
9.57am: Brooks arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice just before 9.15am in a black Land Rover, according to ITV News cameras.9.57am: Brooks arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice just before 9.15am in a black Land Rover, according to ITV News cameras.
She was greeted by this pantomime horse, a reference to the "Horsegate" saga after it emerged earlier this year that David Cameron rode a retired police horse that had been lent to Brooks by Scotland Yard.She was greeted by this pantomime horse, a reference to the "Horsegate" saga after it emerged earlier this year that David Cameron rode a retired police horse that had been lent to Brooks by Scotland Yard.
Rich Peppiatt, the ex-Daily Star reporter turned tabloid mischief maker, is one of the people underneath the pantomime horse.Rich Peppiatt, the ex-Daily Star reporter turned tabloid mischief maker, is one of the people underneath the pantomime horse.
9.43am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.9.43am: Good morning and welcome to the Leveson inquiry live blog.
Rebekah Brooks, the former News International chief executive, will give evidence in a full-day hearing.Rebekah Brooks, the former News International chief executive, will give evidence in a full-day hearing.
It will be the first time Brooks has made any public statement since 19 July 2011, when she gave evidence to the Commons culture, media and sport select committee on phone hacking.It will be the first time Brooks has made any public statement since 19 July 2011, when she gave evidence to the Commons culture, media and sport select committee on phone hacking.
Brooks, the ex-editor of both the Sun and the News of the World, will face a series of questions about her relationship with former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, but the inquiry is likely to place extra scrutiny on her dealings with David Cameron. The prime minister was reported to have offered his personal support to Brooks after she resigned from News International at the height of the phone-hacking scandal in July last year.Brooks, the ex-editor of both the Sun and the News of the World, will face a series of questions about her relationship with former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, but the inquiry is likely to place extra scrutiny on her dealings with David Cameron. The prime minister was reported to have offered his personal support to Brooks after she resigned from News International at the height of the phone-hacking scandal in July last year.
Brooks is unlikely to be asked about the ongoing police investigations into phone hacking or payments to police officers. She is currently on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept voicemail messages and of corruption on 17 July last year, and separately held on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice on 13 March this year.Brooks is unlikely to be asked about the ongoing police investigations into phone hacking or payments to police officers. She is currently on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept voicemail messages and of corruption on 17 July last year, and separately held on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice on 13 March this year.
A close confidante of Rupert Murdoch, Brooks declined four times to give evidence to MPs on phone hacking between July 2009 and May 2011, according to the select committee report published last week.A close confidante of Rupert Murdoch, Brooks declined four times to give evidence to MPs on phone hacking between July 2009 and May 2011, according to the select committee report published last week.
The 43-year-old, who edited the News of the World from 2000 to 2003, was criticised by the Commons cross-party select committee earlier in May for overseeing a culture at the Sunday tabloid in which reporters acted unethically in their dogged coverage of the Milly Dowler murder investigation.The 43-year-old, who edited the News of the World from 2000 to 2003, was criticised by the Commons cross-party select committee earlier in May for overseeing a culture at the Sunday tabloid in which reporters acted unethically in their dogged coverage of the Milly Dowler murder investigation.
"The attempts by the News of the World to get a scoop on Milly Dowler led to a considerable amount of valuable police resource being redirected to the pursuit of false leads," the committee said in its phone-hacking report."The attempts by the News of the World to get a scoop on Milly Dowler led to a considerable amount of valuable police resource being redirected to the pursuit of false leads," the committee said in its phone-hacking report.
"For those actions, and the culture which permitted them, the editor should accept responsibility.""For those actions, and the culture which permitted them, the editor should accept responsibility."
Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.Please note that comments have been switched off for legal reasons.