A new strand to the News of the World story
A new strand to the story of the News of the World and its methods could open up next week.
Two years ago, in a Commons committee hearing, the then Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price asked this question of the News of the World Executive, Stuart Kuttner:
"In 2002 it emerged as a result of covert police surveillance that a News of the World journalist had been paying thousands of pounds to a detective agency, Southern Investigations, for information obtained illegally from corrupt police officers. Were you aware of those payments, Mr Kuttner?"
Kuttner shed no light on the matter.
But we could learn a lot more, I'm told, from prosecution evidence in a major murder trial which is due to begin on Monday.
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 27th Jan 2011, jauntycyclist wrote:why not FOI asking how many police are taking money?
someone did try to do something about payments
...A leading Tory back bencher (Gary Streeter MP) has succeeded in steering a Ten Minute Rule Bill entitled Media (Transparency and Disclosure) Bill....
any search reveals police corruption and extortion is widespread in the uk
even some in the police are worried
A POLICE unit is to be set up because of fears that recession-hit officers in Lancashire face a ‘real’ threat of corruption.
and so it goes on.
the media cannot regulate themselves [which is the argument for selling off forests?]
its not working.
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Comment number 2.
At 28th Jan 2011, DebtJuggler wrote:Wot!...that bent coppers have incredibly big ears!?!
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Comment number 3.
At 28th Jan 2011, barriesingleton wrote:BRITISH CORRUPTION IS NOT BROWN ENVELOPES AND CONCRETE OVERCOATS
We have time-honoured corruption, so suffused into our daily life that we barely see or sense it. Cash payment for work on the home. The old boy network (including The Masons). Late payment as a source of finance. Long credit terms given to secure business against a superior competitor.
Corporate entertainment. And I haven't touched on politics.
All service contracts are designed to ensnare and only free you expensively.
Money-business, is monkey business. Banking, insurance, loans, mortgages - you name it.
Democracy is a stitch-up with extra-special lies for elections.
It would be a miracle if the Police were not included.
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Comment number 4.
At 28th Jan 2011, JunkkMale wrote:'the News of the World and its methods'
Blooming unprofessional, scoop-obsessed, ratings-addicted, zero integrity media. But maybe they are not unique?
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Comment number 5.
At 28th Jan 2011, IPGABP1 wrote:It was, although I may be mistaken, a few years ago that the West Midlands Regional Crime Squad was disbanded. The reason given was that hundreds of people had been convicted due to police fabricated evidence.
The head lad got appointed to a senior position in the Met shortly afterwards.
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Comment number 6.
At 28th Jan 2011, stanilic wrote:It is the old pal's act, isn't it. People who know a good yarn and those who would like to retell it. They need each other, don't they?
I just wish they would fill up their column inches with stories about how the British public has been swindled all these years. But that would require hard work and who wants to do that in this great yet diminishing country of ours.
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Comment number 7.
At 28th Jan 2011, worcesterjim wrote:6 It would require more than hard work Stan....it would be suicidal! Have you noticed what sort of people own our media?
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Comment number 8.
At 28th Jan 2011, barriesingleton wrote:HOW WE ALL LONG FOR THE SIMPLE VIOLENCE OF THE SPG.
Happy-slapping was analogue in those halcyon days.
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