'Devastating' News May Force More Murdoch Testimony

[Celebration]

Source: CNBC

The travails of the Murdoch family over the phone-hacking scandal at their UK newspaper empire are far from over.

On Tuesday afternoon, John Whittingdale, the head of the committee that grilled both Rupert and James Murdoch last month, said that James will "likely" be recalled to answer further questions after the emergence of new evidence.

It is "unlikely" that his father, whose wife Wendi defended him from a cream pie "attack" during the Murdochs' previous appearance, will be called again, the MP said.

Asked if James Murdoch had deliberately misled the committee, Tom Watson, one of the MPs who led the questioning of the Murdochs, told reporters: "We've not drawn a conclusion."



Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/44157595

[No Elephants]

1. Are authorities still investigating that sudden death that was "unexplained, but not suspicious" or

was coming up with that phrase the end of it?

Haven't heard about that poor guy in a while.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Detailed forensic report is not out yet

Neither is Amy Winehouse's.

If you were UK you'd understand that unexplained is cause and not suspicious is circumstances. Both are stock expressions here - nothing unusual. When my neighbour died back in 2003 her death was classed exactly the same.

[cstanleytech]

23. Interesting though of I assume of course your neighbor

probably was not key to revealing major criminal activity by a large multi-national corporation.

[dipsydoodle]

28. No

and I'm not into conspiracy theories.

"Not suspicious" is partly related to the reason for which his neighbours reported their concerns to the police when they called them the day he died.......that was Hertfordshire Police : not Metropolitan Police. The incident was a mile or so from me as the crow flys.

[cstanleytech]

31. Sometimes though the conspiracy theories do end up being right and

you do have to admit the death of the person who leaked the information was somewhat convenient for news corp as it makes it more difficult for investigators especially if evidence was destroyed to cover up other even worse crimes stemming from the initial crime.

[No Elephants]

45. I read your post on that when he died. However, I wondered if there was more news.

Is Winehouse's death really unexplained?

[dipsydoodle]

46. Sean Hoare's inquest was opened and adjourned

21st pending July pending further histology and toxicology results - no further specific date mentioned.

Amy Winehouse's inquest was opened 25th July and adjourned until 26th October so for the time being its unexplained with no known cause and stays like that until the Coroner reaches a verdict.

The comparison between the two was just to provide an indication of time scale for such events.

[beac]

2. Any "devastating" news for the Murdochs is good news for the rest of the world. n/t

[russspeakeasy]

3. Yup...

:fistbump:

[cstanleytech]

24. I'll consider it more real news if its something like them being forced to exchange

all their voting shares in News Corp for non voting shares and being banned from owning and/or operating a newspaper and or any other company thats involved in news or entertainment in the UK for the next 40 years.

[beac]

27. Sounds good to me! And, as long as we are wishing, some Murdochs behind bars

would be nice. (Unlikely, but nice.)

I do think there's a very good chance the board of News Corp is feeling a little foolish about their recent "ringing endorsement" of James Murdoch.

[kpete]

5. Phone hacking: News of the World reporter's ("explosive") letter reveals cover-up

Source: Guardian UK

Phone hacking: News of the World reporter's letter reveals cover-up

Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and their former editor Andy Coulson all face embarrassing new allegations of dishonesty and cover-up after the publication of an explosive letter written by the News of the World's disgraced royal correspondent, Clive Goodman.

In the letter, which was written four years ago but published only on Tuesday, Goodman claims that phone hacking was "widely discussed" at editorial meetings at the paper until Coulson himself banned further references to it; that Coulson offered to let him keep his job if he agreed not to implicate the paper in hacking when he came to court; and that his own hacking was carried out with "the full knowledge and support" of other senior journalists, whom he named.

The claims are acutely troubling for the prime minister, David Cameron, who hired Coulson as his media adviser on the basis that he knew nothing about phone hacking. And they confront Rupert and James Murdoch with the humiliating prospect of being recalled to parliament to justify the evidence which they gave last month on the aftermath of Goodman's allegations. In a separate letter, one of the Murdochs' own law firms claim that parts of that evidence were variously "hard to credit", "self-serving" and "inaccurate and misleading".

Goodman's claims also raise serious questions about Rupert Murdoch's close friend and adviser, Les Hinton, who was sent a copy of the letter but failed to pass it to police and who then led a cast of senior Murdoch personnel in telling parliament that they believed Coulson knew nothing about the interception of the voicemail of public figures and that Goodman was the only journalist involved.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/aug/16/phone-hacking-now-reporter-letter

---

LETTER HERE:
(this is going to bring them DOWN!)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/interactive/2011/aug/16/clive-goodman-letter-phone-hacking

[dipsydoodle]

6. BBC News link

MPs have released a letter from a journalist jailed for phone hacking, alleging senior News of the World figures knew what was going on.

Former royal editor Clive Goodman wrote the letter to News International as he appealed against his dismissal in 2007.

Mr Goodman said hacking was "widely discussed" at editorial meetings until talk of it was banned by the editor.

The Commons culture select committee, which earlier said it might recall James Murdoch, published the letter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14541848

[Oceansaway]

7. k & r..nt

[myrna minx]

8. K&R n/t

[snappyturtle]

9. Great! nt

[valerief]

10. I'm sure the guilty will get a strongly worded letter for this! nt

[vanbean]

11. The person(s) whose name(s) were redacted must be cussing Goodman.

We're going to need more popcorn.

[KansDem]

12. It's funny: the FBI is quickly and quietly rounding up suspected Anonymous members...

Yet, Rupert and his ilk continue to walk free.

Well, not so funny, perhaps...

[emulatorloo]

16. FBI has broadened US news corps investigation

Threads on that yesterday./

[Stuart G]

13. As they say, the smoking gun has arrived. Mr, Goodman's

claims could bring these assholes down, once and for all.

But of course, the Murdoch clan will come up with some crap.
But who are we to believe here?
Murdoch, Coulson, or Goodman?

You be the judge...for me..guilty.

[AllyCat]

14. Not one thing will "humiliate" these rat bastards except being penniless

They are and feel they are, above the law. They'll walk and we'll be stuck with this kind of crap being par for the course for the rest of our existence.

[RedCloud]

15. This is good news. Maybe they can find anti-ACORN stuff too.

[Stuart G]

17. TPM story, "most important piece of evidence yet..."

"Labour MP Tom Watson called Goodman's letter "the most significant piece of evidence that has been revealed so far. It completely removes News International's defence. This is one of the largest cover-ups I have seen in my lifetime."

Watson told ITV Tuesday:

Let me be clear, if what Goodman says is accurate, then it's very, very serious for Andy Coulson and Tom Crone the lawyer. If it's not accurate, the central question is why did Les Hinton, the Chief Executive of News International at the time, on receiving this letter not mention it to a Parliamentary inquiry that he gave evidence to only days afterwards and why did he not immediately call in the police? After all there had been an allegation of widespread criminality in the organisation in 2007 and he didn't want to clear it up. That contradicts what Rupert Murdoch told us which us he takes a zero tolerance policy to wrongdoing in News Corp.

Parliament's culture, media and sport select committee published Goodman's letter Tuesday, along with a number of other documents related to James Murdoch's testimony to the committee, and allegations that he misled them. More on those documents soon."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I remember on Olbermann seeing John Dean say that what we saw up to then (a couple of weeks ago) was the tip of the iceberg.
The rest of the house cards he implied, would definitely fall...It was going to happen, it was matter of when, not if..(not his exact words, but synopsis from what I can remember)
I am happy that .. when is now..




http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/convicted_news_of_the_world_reporter_editor_tried.php?ref=fpb

[Uncle Joe]

22. Yep, I would say this qualifies as a conspiracy. n/t

[Overseas]

18. K&R.

Glad to see more and more truth come to light.

[russspeakeasy]

19. This just gets better and better..

[Plucketeer]

20. Their whole fetid Murdoch dynasty

belongs in some reeking, rat-ruled dungeon.

[Uncle Joe]

21. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Celebration.

[thereismore]

25. I am just glad that poppy Murdoch lived to see this shit go down. nt

[JDPriestly]

32. I am wondering whether and to what extent a deal has been made

to protect the old man and let the son take the entire rap. Just wondering.

The publication of this letter could just have happened. Maybe somebody really got upset when they watched James Murdoch's testimony -- maybe somebody from the law firm or someone else, but you always have to ask yourself whether a deal has already been struck at some level either just within the Murdoch clan or the Murdoch companies or perhaps even with some or all of the authorities. It just seems incredible to me that Rupert himself didn't hear about this perhaps indirectly. Did the Murdochs ever discuss this at family events? Joke about it amongst themselves?

It must have been quite a coup to pull this off for so many years. You would think that some of those involved in it might have thought of it as quite a prank.

Somehow once lawyers are involved, the idea of a behind-the-scenes-juicy-deal can never be completely dismissed.

[Kolesar]

47. If old Murdoch had any class, he would take the fall

Like Bernie Madoff. Get stuck in jail forever to keep sonny from serving there for decades.

[GliderGuider]

48. You used the words "Murdoch" and "class" in the same sentence. Good one!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Kingofalldems]

26. K and R all Murdoch scandal threads

[Sarah Ibarruri]

29. I'm very curious if they're going to throw Murdoch Jr. in prison. I'm hoping they do.

It would definitely start changing the landscape of crime, seeing rich criminals behind bars.

[peacetalksforall]

30. Can anyone remember the reason given for Hinton getting fired a couple of days

before the Hearing?

[OKIsItJustMe]

33. Letter: News Corp Execs Knew About Hackings

Source: NPR

Letter: News Corp Execs Knew About Hackings

by David Folkenflik

August 16, 2011

A newly revealed letter from a jailed reporter claims hacking was "widely discussed" at editorial meetings of the now-closed News of the World. It further implicates paper's former editor and adviser to the British prime minister — as well as senior executives at News International.

Read more: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/16/139680648/letter-hacking-widely-discussed-at-news-of-the-world

---

Audio for this story from All Things Considered will be available at approx. 7:00 p.m. ET

[fascisthunter]

34. oooops... now, who did FOX news hack?

[myrna minx]

35. Excellent! K&R n/r

[dipsydoodle]

36. Duplicate LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4962597

[OKIsItJustMe]

37. News Corp. Made Aware of Hacking in 2007, Ex-Reporter Says

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/08/15/bloomberg1376-LQ0PYD6K50XT01-63B52GF3OF3H23A0H3P36E31C9.DTL

News Corp. Made Aware of Hacking in 2007, Ex-Reporter Says

Monday, August 15, 2011

Aug. 16 (Bloomberg) -- News Corp.'s editors at the News of the World Sunday tabloid discussed phone hacking in daily meetings, a former reporter said, increasing pressure on executives to explain when they became aware of the practice.

Phone hacking was "widely discussed in the daily editorial conference" until "explicit reference to it was banned by the editor," former royal reporter Clive Goodman said in a March 2007 letter that was published by U.K. lawmakers today. News Corp. deputy Chief Operating Officer James Murdoch will probably be recalled to the U.K. Parliament to answer more questions about the allegations at the now-defunct tabloid.

Murdoch told lawmakers last month that he hadn't realized until late 2010 that phone hacking was widespread at the News of the World. That's been contradicted by Tom Crone and Colin Myler, two former executives of the tabloid, who said they informed him in 2008 about an e-mail that suggested more reporters had been involved. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee today examined fresh responses from former employees to explain contradictions in Murdoch's testimony.

"Once he answered questions, he would inevitably seek to blame underlings," said David Corker of the London law firm Corker Binning, who acts for clients implicated in regulatory and criminal investigations. "Now he's facing a welter of new evidence from those underlings."

…

[Kingofalldems]

38. Slowly slowly closing in

[LeftishBrit]

39. k&r

[fedsron2us]

40. Interesting that the lawyers at Harbottle Lewis

and the News International former chief legal officer have undermined James Murdochs testimony to the Parliamentary committee. They have basically accused him of lying. It looks like they want to be well clear of him in the event of any charges about a conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice being laid.

This scandal looks like it could potentially take down at least one member of the dynasty.

[AndyTiedye]

41. Kicked and Recommended

The Murdochs could use a long stay in those historic accommodations in the Tower of London.

[Hissyspit]

42. Newly Revealed Docs Cast Doubt on James Murdoch’s Denials; He Could be Recalled by Lawmakers

Source: Associated Press

Newly revealed docs cast doubt on James Murdoch’s denials; he could be recalled by lawmakers

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, August 16, 2:02 PM

LONDON — Lawyers and former executives have cast fresh doubt on the denials made by Rupert and James Murdoch over Britain’s phone hacking scandal, raising the prospect that the media tycoon’s son could be recalled for a new grilling by U.K. legislators.

In written testimony released by lawmakers Tuesday, former Murdoch lieutenants poked holes in the dramatic testimony delivered by their ex-bosses before Parliament last month, accusing them of misrepresentations, exaggerations and more.

Claims made by the Murdochs carried “serious inaccuracies,” ex-News International lawyer Jonathan Chapman said in a letter to the House of Commons’ media committee, rejecting the notion that the two had been kept in the dark by subordinates.

“Nobody kept Mr. James Murdoch or any other News International/News Corporation executives from being in full possession of the facts,” he said.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/british-lawmakers-may-ask-james-murdoch-more-questions-on-phone-hacking/2011/08/16/gIQA3b8sIJ_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

[Kolesar]

43. David Folkenflik covered this quite excellently on "All Things Considered" this afternoon

British Reporter: Executives Knew Of Phone Hacking

August 16, 2011 ... that illegal phone hacking was a widespread practice and that its occurrence was well-known at the highest levels of Rupert Murdoch's now closed ...

By David Folkenflik

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/16/139680648/letter-hacking-widely-discussed-at-news-of-the-world

Documents released Tuesday in London by a parliamentary committee contain charges that illegal phone hacking was a widespread practice and that its occurrence was well-known at the highest levels of Rupert Murdoch's now closed tabloid News of the World.

In addition, the documents also challenge testimony from his son, James Murdoch, before a parliamentary committee last month and strongly suggest senior British officials in his family's media empire participated in a cover-up.

Taken together, the documents strike at the pillars of the defense for News Corp. and the Murdochs. Labor MP Tom Watson, a leading lawmaker involved in the investigation, called the claims "explosive" and "devastating." Key executives and editors are being recalled to testify before the parliamentary committee next month and the younger Murdoch will very likely follow.

[cstanleytech]

44. Posted already earlier

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4962597&mesg_id=4962597

[Kingofalldems]

49. Kick for all the Fox fans stopping in