How much did James know? Did Rupert approve hush money payments?

Parliament's Culture C'ttee resumes hearings on phone hacking today

The famous couple will not be at the hearing

The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee resumes its hearings today in London. At 10.30am Jonathan Chapman, former director of legal affairs and Daniel Cloke, former Group HR director are due to appear. At 11.30am Colin Myler, last editor of the closed News of the World (NoW) and Tom Crone, former legal manager, News Group, are scheduled.


The Committee will seek answers to how much James Murdoch knew which he denied at the same hearing in July. It will also want to know if he informed Rupert Murdoch and got approval from the chairman for the estimated US$2.3 million hush money he paid selectively with gag orders, to high-profile victims.


High Court orders private investigator to reveal names

Glenn gives up names of handlers

Glenn Mulcaire who went to jail for 6 months along with Clive Goodman in 2007, was asked by the High Court to reveal names of other NoW executives who may have directed him on his hacking missions. The list was to be with the High Court by 30 August in a suit initiated by comedian Stephen Coogan. Coogan seeks to prove there was conspiracy at NoW and that phone hacking occurred on an 'industrial scale'.


Milly Dowler lawyer's phone hacked too


Revelations now emerge that News International hacked into the phone of Mark Lewis, the lawyer who represents the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. 

Mark Lewis speaks with Dowler family in background

Lewis also represented Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, who was paid off with a £700,000 cheque in 2008 and a gag order by James Murdoch.


Lewis claimed that in September 2009, News International lawyers threatened to seek an injunction against him representing any more phone-hacking victims. Lewis warns that there is a lengthening roster of potential litigants. Settlement of claims "could reach £100 million or more" for News International.


It is becoming clear that phone-hacking was a core modus operandi of the company for news leads and sensitive information. It is not the 'isolated rogue reporter' at News international. It is an entire company culture of disdain for the law and privacy of citizens.

Royal reporter Clive Goodman (the 'rogue reporter') went to jail in 2007 believing the company would look after him if he did not implicate his bosses. He understood he could resume his employment later. 

The company stopped paying his legal fees after James Murdoch's appearance at the first Culture Committee hearing in July. He is suing the company for breach of contract.

'Inside Story' book by Glenn Mulcaire canned


After his release from prison, Glenn Mulcaire had planned a book tentatively titled "The Inside Story of the Royal Household Tapes & The Murky World of Media". 


The book initiative was canned after he signed a £80,000 Confidentiality Agreement with the company. Glenn sued News International in August for breach of contract, when the company stopped paying his legal bills. 


Glenn apologised to the many victims of his phone-hacking service. "Working for NoW was never easy. There was relentless pressure. I knew that we pushed the limits ethically but I didn't understand I had broken the law. I was under contract. You just have to switch off....and be professional". 


ENDS