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How the Sun on Sunday spent thousands on its Tulisa sting The Sun on Sunday and its Tulisa sting
(2 days later)
A week or so ago I wrote a piece about the ethics of newspaper stings in which I argued that the lure offered to the "target" should not be disproportionately high because the paper could then be accused of entrapment.A week or so ago I wrote a piece about the ethics of newspaper stings in which I argued that the lure offered to the "target" should not be disproportionately high because the paper could then be accused of entrapment.
Soon after, I also wrote about the News of the World's (sorry, the Sun on Sunday's) sting operation on a TV celebrity called Tulisa Contostavlos.Soon after, I also wrote about the News of the World's (sorry, the Sun on Sunday's) sting operation on a TV celebrity called Tulisa Contostavlos.
It was engineered by the former NoW investigations editor, Mazher Mahmood, who has plenty of form in this murky area of undercover set-ups.It was engineered by the former NoW investigations editor, Mazher Mahmood, who has plenty of form in this murky area of undercover set-ups.
According to his article, "Tulisa's cocaine deal shame", she arranged for a friend to supply a quantity of cocaine and boasted about having many other drug-dealing friends.According to his article, "Tulisa's cocaine deal shame", she arranged for a friend to supply a quantity of cocaine and boasted about having many other drug-dealing friends.
But what convinced her to trust Mahmood? Just how elaborate was the subterfuge? Was it a case of Contostavlos being comprehensively tricked in an unfair manner?But what convinced her to trust Mahmood? Just how elaborate was the subterfuge? Was it a case of Contostavlos being comprehensively tricked in an unfair manner?
Answers to those questions may be divined by reading a Sunday People article, "Tulisa hoaxed by 'film executives' over mega £8m Bollywood contract". I'll let you decide…Answers to those questions may be divined by reading a Sunday People article, "Tulisa hoaxed by 'film executives' over mega £8m Bollywood contract". I'll let you decide…
The story tells how Contostavlos was contacted by "film directors" in March who promised her the lead role in a movie to be filmed in India, the United States and Africa.The story tells how Contostavlos was contacted by "film directors" in March who promised her the lead role in a movie to be filmed in India, the United States and Africa.
She "was flown around the world by private jet during two months of ­negotiations" with "film ­executives [who] had promised her ­£8million and global fame playing a sari-clad British girl who moves from London to India."
She was flown to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, introduced to her so-called co-stars in the penthouse of a five-star hotel.She was flown to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, introduced to her so-called co-stars in the penthouse of a five-star hotel.
After Contostavlos returned to London - telling friends she was "ecstatic and ­excited" about her "dream job" - the "movie bosses" met her in hired rooms at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Several phone-calls also took place to discuss the role with her in detail and she told a friend "she even had a contract ready to sign."After Contostavlos returned to London - telling friends she was "ecstatic and ­excited" about her "dream job" - the "movie bosses" met her in hired rooms at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Several phone-calls also took place to discuss the role with her in detail and she told a friend "she even had a contract ready to sign."
It was, however, all a hoax. The "friend" is also quoted as saying: "Tulisa says that they have played with her life. She's shocked, destroyed and devastated… She feels like she's been completely set up."It was, however, all a hoax. The "friend" is also quoted as saying: "Tulisa says that they have played with her life. She's shocked, destroyed and devastated… She feels like she's been completely set up."
The Sunday People does not mention the Sun on Sunday as the architect of the hoax so, I concede, it is just possible that Contostavlos was subject to two hoaxes.
/>But I understand the People know exactly who was responsible and have worked out the possible cost of their rival's exercise as being somewhere close to £150,000. 		The Sunday People does not mention the Sun on Sunday as the architect of the hoax so, I concede, it is just possible that Contostavlos was subject to two hoaxes.

/>• This article, along with the headline, was amended on 14 June 2013 to remove some inaccuracies. An earlier version said Contostavlos was "flown around the world by private jet". It also suggested that the Sun on Sunday offered Contostavlos money for a film deal and that the newspaper spent £100,000 to £150,000 on its sting operation. We regret these errors.
Even if it's closer to £100,000, it is still a remarkable amount to invest on an essentially worthless piece of journalism that achieved nothing more than exposing a young woman who allegedly asked a friend to obtain some drugs (for which she was later arrested and bailed).
Was that worth flying her to the States, putting her up in expensive hotels and making her huge career promises? The whole sordid business, as it so often does when Mahmood is involved, stinks.
6.40pm update
The Sun on Sunday has responded to say that Tulisa was not flown around the world by the Sun, she was not invited as a passenger on any private jet and no money was offered to her by the Sun for a film deal. It said that it was also false to suggest that the Sun spent as much as £100,000 on the investigation.