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Former Murdoch Aides Appear in Court Former Murdoch Aides Appear in Court
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — Two of the most senior former executives at newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch, both once close to Prime Minister David Cameron, appeared at the Old Bailey courthouse in central London on Wednesday facing charges relating to the phone hacking scandal convulsing parts of the British press.LONDON — Two of the most senior former executives at newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch, both once close to Prime Minister David Cameron, appeared at the Old Bailey courthouse in central London on Wednesday facing charges relating to the phone hacking scandal convulsing parts of the British press.
At a brief hearing, a judge set Sept. 9, 2013, as the starting date for a full trial after other preliminary procedures. Five other journalists and a private investigator are accused along with them on various charges.At a brief hearing, a judge set Sept. 9, 2013, as the starting date for a full trial after other preliminary procedures. Five other journalists and a private investigator are accused along with them on various charges.
The best-known figures in the case are Rebekah Brooks, a senior editor who was once the chief executive of Mr. Murdoch’s British newspaper outpost, and Andy Coulson, a former editor of Mr. Murdoch’s News of the World Sunday tabloid who went on to become Mr. Cameron’s director of communications. The best-known figures in the case are Rebekah Brooks, who was once the chief executive of Mr. Murdoch’s British newspaper outpost, and Andy Coulson, a former editor of Mr. Murdoch’s News of the World Sunday tabloid who went on to become Mr. Cameron’s director of communications.
The accused spoke only to confirm their identities at the hearing on Wednesday and remained free on bail.The accused spoke only to confirm their identities at the hearing on Wednesday and remained free on bail.
For months, police have been pursuing a variety of investigations of scores of journalists and managers into allegations including phone hacking, conspiring conspiracy to hide evidence and corrupting public officials. For months, the police have been pursuing a variety of investigations of scores of journalists and managers into accusations, including phone hacking, conspiring conspiracy to hide evidence and corrupting public officials.
Additionally, scores of entertainment and sporting personalities have started civil proceedings seeking compensation for the unlawful interception of personal voice mail messages.Additionally, scores of entertainment and sporting personalities have started civil proceedings seeking compensation for the unlawful interception of personal voice mail messages.
The scandal has thrown an unaccustomed spotlight onto the way the British press operates, showing a cozy relationship between journalists, police officers and the political elite while raising questions about Prime Minister Cameron’s judgment in hiring Mr. Coulson. The scandal has thrown an unaccustomed spotlight onto the way the British press operates, showing a cozy relationship between journalists, police officers and the political elite while raising questions about Mr. Cameron’s judgment in hiring Mr. Coulson.
Mr. Coulson faces charges that he conspired to intercept voice mail. Mr. Cameron hired Mr. Coulson before he became prime minister but kept him on as communications chief after the Conservative victory in the 2010 election.Mr. Coulson faces charges that he conspired to intercept voice mail. Mr. Cameron hired Mr. Coulson before he became prime minister but kept him on as communications chief after the Conservative victory in the 2010 election.
As the hacking scandal widened, Mr. Cameron initially stood by Mr. Coulson, but disclosures about illicit phone intercepts continued. Mr. Coulson resigned from his government post in January 2011, saying the scandal was distracting him from his work at 10 Downing Street.As the hacking scandal widened, Mr. Cameron initially stood by Mr. Coulson, but disclosures about illicit phone intercepts continued. Mr. Coulson resigned from his government post in January 2011, saying the scandal was distracting him from his work at 10 Downing Street.
In July 2011, Mr. Coulson was arrested and questioned by the police in England on suspicion of phone hacking and of illegally paying officials for information. In May this year, he was arrested by the Scottish police in a separate case and charged with lying under oath about whether he knew phone hacking was going on at The News of the World.In July 2011, Mr. Coulson was arrested and questioned by the police in England on suspicion of phone hacking and of illegally paying officials for information. In May this year, he was arrested by the Scottish police in a separate case and charged with lying under oath about whether he knew phone hacking was going on at The News of the World.
In a parallel case, Ms. Brooks, 44, faces three charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.In a parallel case, Ms. Brooks, 44, faces three charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Prosecutors accuse her and her husband, Charlie Brooks, a racehorse trainer, of concealing material from police officers. Several former members of her staff also face charges. She has denied phone hacking charges.Prosecutors accuse her and her husband, Charlie Brooks, a racehorse trainer, of concealing material from police officers. Several former members of her staff also face charges. She has denied phone hacking charges.
Ms. Brooks was once among the most influential people in British journalism, at different times editing two of Mr. Murdoch’s mass circulation tabloids, running his operations here and in close touch with Mr. Cameron.Ms. Brooks was once among the most influential people in British journalism, at different times editing two of Mr. Murdoch’s mass circulation tabloids, running his operations here and in close touch with Mr. Cameron.
The five other journalists from The News of the World Sunday tabloid, which Mr. Murdoch ordered closed as a result of the scandal, face accusations relating to the hacking scandal, along with private investigator Glenn Mulcaire. The five other journalists from The News of the World Sunday tabloid, which Mr. Murdoch ordered closed as a result of the scandal, face accusations relating to the hacking scandal, along with Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator.
For many years, executives at News International insisted that phone hacking was the work of a single rogue reporter. In early 2007, Clive Goodman, a journalist who covered the royal family for The News of the World, was sentenced to four months in prison for hacking into royal officials’ voice mail in 2005 and 2006. At that time, Mr. Mulcaire was also sentenced to six months in jail.For many years, executives at News International insisted that phone hacking was the work of a single rogue reporter. In early 2007, Clive Goodman, a journalist who covered the royal family for The News of the World, was sentenced to four months in prison for hacking into royal officials’ voice mail in 2005 and 2006. At that time, Mr. Mulcaire was also sentenced to six months in jail.