[Update] The News Corp scandal

[mertle]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Andy Coulson is giving evidence today at the Leveson Inquiry.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18002228


However.


Looks out of the window to see if there are any aerodynamic porcine passing overhead.

I believe they make grunting sound too.

have you seen this maggy coulson dropped hunt and cameron in it.

as donald sutherland said can I have another bolshovik firecracker think fell a sleep in the snow in film quote..

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...BSkyB-bid.html

There was more bad news for Mr Hunt and Mr Cameron when Andy Coulson, the former Downing Street communications chief, said in evidence to the Leveson Inquiry that Mr Michel had been for a meeting inside Number 10.
He said he met Mr Michel “on a few occasions for coffee� and “I do recall talking to him, albeit briefly, in my [Downing Street] office�.
He said he never discussed News Corp’s BSkyB bid with Mr Michel, but confirmed weekend reports that Mr Michel had set up a meeting between Mr Cameron and the former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, a board member of News Corp.
The meeting took place in November 2009, as News Corp was preparing to announce its bid to buy the 61 per cent of shares in BSkyB it did not already own. The meeting was not declared by the Conservatives.

[Maggy J]

Rebekah tomorrow..

http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/wp-...1-May-2012.pdf

I wonder how good a 40 year old women's memory will be..Hopefully better than an 80 year old man.

[Maggy J]

She's on...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18032676

---------- Post added at 12:19 ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 ----------

Does anyone think it odd that a newspaper editor would have the access necessary to text the PM of the UK and vice versa on any kind of regular basis?

[Chris]

No, I don't think it's remotely odd that two human beings who obviously enjoy each other's company should remain in contact despite having high-level careers. Politicians living in silos shut off from the real world is part of the problem we have in this country.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Chris

No, I don't think it's remotely odd that two human beings who obviously enjoy each other's company should remain in contact despite having high-level careers. Politicians living in silos shut off from the real world is part of the problem we have in this country.

Wish I had that sort of access.I'm sure me and Mr Cameron could be firm friends and he would have a direct contact with the woman on the street..and what passes for real life outside the silo.

---------- Post added at 14:19 ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 ----------

Oh Mrs Brooks is so charming and coy..How could anyone think she was responsible for anything untoward at NOTW?

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Chris

No, I don't think it's remotely odd that two human beings who obviously enjoy each other's company should remain in contact despite having high-level careers. Politicians living in silos shut off from the real world is part of the problem we have in this country.

She also maintained a close relation with Tony Blair. Seems like it was a important relationship for both sides rather than two friends who happened to have high-level careers.

[devilincarnate]

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt sought "private advice" from News Corporation over phone hacking, an email given to the Leveson Inquiry has suggested.

The previously unseen email, sent to ex-News International boss Rebekah Brooks by the firm's PR chief Frederic Michel, says Mr Hunt wanted "guidance".

Mr Hunt's spokeswoman said the claim was "inaccurate", but Labour said it was "collusion".

Meanwhile, police probing phone hacking have passed two files to prosecutors.

The latest documents relate to allegations of misconduct in a public office by police officers, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

The email to Mrs Brooks emerged while she was giving evidence on Friday to Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry into media ethics.

The last line of Mr Michel's email reads: "JH is now starting to looking to phone hacking/practices more thoroughly and has asked me to advise him privately in the coming weeks and guide his and No 10's positioning…"

Am I just confused or are others?

This is good?

During questioning at the Leveson Inquiry on Friday, Mrs Brooks said she discussed News Corp's bid to buy BSkyB with Chancellor George Osborne.

She said she made use of a social dinner with Mr Osborne to discuss opposition being put forward by the regulator Ofcom - and then emailed his response to Mr Michel.

During the hearing, Mrs Brooks was also asked about the amount of contact she had with senior UK politicians.

She was asked whether Mr Cameron had sent her a "keep your head up" message when she resigned she said it had been "something along those lines".

And then the laugh of the day?

She said the prime minister signed off most texts with the letters DC but occasionally used the acronym LOL.

But she said he stopped this when he learnt the text shorthand stood for "laugh out loud" not "lots of love".

[Maggy J]

Sadly it will be the last that will make the headlines tomorrow..Clever way to get the headline she really wants.

[Maggy J]

http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/wp-...-May-20121.pdf

Witness listings for next week.
Alistair Campbell on Monday.Jack Straw on Wednesday.

[Stuart]

The thing that concerns me is this, working at a Uni, I have to abide by rules governing exactly how far my friendships with students can go. Teachers have similar regulations. Basically this is so that the students can't use undue influence over Uni staff to get higher marks.

Ministers and high up civil servants, you know, the people whose decisions could affect everyone, seemingly have no resrictions on how far their friendships can go, and with whom.

[mertle]

See its osbourne turn to be dragged deeper into the cesspool.

Secret meeting with mordocks in country estate

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2...-murdoch-bskyb

Stuart spot on signed was under similar rules.

Amazing how lapsed the countries top MP's civil servants brass become. I can only assume they have similar rules so why they breaching it.

Just being with those could be enough to constitute conflict of interest.

Its does not matter if sensitive issues was discussed or not there is oportunity for it. Fact the mere mention should be sackable offense. If they force resignation on civil servants should they not walk themselves for same reasons.

Therefore hunt, cameron, osbourne should be tendering resignations. You cant demand the same action to civil servants if you dont go yourself for same offence.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Stuart

The thing that concerns me is this, working at a Uni, I have to abide by rules governing exactly how far my friendships with students can go. Teachers have similar regulations. Basically this is so that the students can't use undue influence over Uni staff to get higher marks.

Ministers and high up civil servants, you know, the people whose decisions could affect everyone, seemingly have no resrictions on how far their friendships can go, and with whom.

Well that's what you get from the public school system,the old boys network.Not just in Parliament and the civil service but in banking and business as well.

[denphone]

Rebekah Brooks charged with perverting the course of justice.

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-...se-of-justice/

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie Brooks are to be charged with perverting the course of justice during the phone-hacking scandal, they said today in a statement.

Brooks, 43, is former Chief Executive of News International and was editor of the News of the World when the paper accessed the voicemails of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

[Damien]

Perverting the course of Justice usually ends up with a prison sentence doesn't it?

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Damien

Perverting the course of Justice usually ends up with a prison sentence doesn't it?

Most definitely and from what l hear she and her husband has been charged on three counts.