Re: Rebekah Brooks arrested

**widowan** Sun 17 Jul - 15:20

buildersbum wrote:This woman has a lot to answer for......

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1406429/Pottergate-we-publish-the-secret-tapes.html

OMG. In a nutshell:

GM: Charles, Charles, Charles, let me tell you something. This is not a business for prima donnas. You know that and I know that.

CB: I'm disillusioned. . .

GM: I have told you that this is not going to be held against you. Charles, you should think very seriously about coming in on Tuesday.

CB: Well, to be frank, Greg, as far as my future at News International is concerned, I haven't toed the line for the editor's pet project. I didn't prance around while the World Trade Centre was being bombed, for her personal amusement. I can't just stroll in.

GM: Why not? Charles, that is what we do - we go out and destroy other people's lives.

----------------------------------

Hearing them squeak about how if they have standards or regulation it will harm this fine institution of the British press, given recordings like these, makes me take that with a grain of salt. Who should be REALLY wound up about this is the BBC and any paper that actually tries to have a decent journalistic standard because these lot give everyone a bad name.

**Chris** Sun 17 Jul - 15:23

widowan wrote:
buildersbum wrote:This woman has a lot to answer for......

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1406429/Pottergate-we-publish-the-secret-tapes.html

OMG. In a nutshell:

GM: Charles, Charles, Charles, let me tell you something. This is not a business for prima donnas. You know that and I know that.

CB: I'm disillusioned. . .

GM: I have told you that this is not going to be held against you. Charles, you should think very seriously about coming in on Tuesday.

CB: Well, to be frank, Greg, as far as my future at News International is concerned, I haven't toed the line for the editor's pet project. I didn't prance around while the World Trade Centre was being bombed, for her personal amusement. I can't just stroll in.

GM: Why not? Charles, that is what we do - we go out and destroy other people's lives.

----------------------------------

Hearing them squeak about how if they have standards or regulation it will harm this fine institution of the British press, given recordings like these, makes me take that with a grain of salt. Who should be REALLY wound up about this is the BBC and any paper that actually tries to have a decent journalistic standard because these lot give everyone a bad name.

I am still trying to work out what a "Harry Potter emergency" is. Rebekah Brooks arrested - Page 2 25346

**widowan** Sun 17 Jul - 15:42

Chris wrote:
widowan wrote:
MaryB wrote:From what I read last week, she has already implied that she might not be able to answer questions during this Parliamentary thing on Tuesday because there is an ongoing investigation. So she had already decided she wouldn't answer questions. I hope they see them all separately at the 'meeting' on Tuesday. No conferring.

Yup. Judicial secrecy and all that! We know the way their lawyers advise them. Obviously, don't talk. Don't say anything at all. But that makes you look guilty, so they have this excuse of an investigation.

Her reputation will be in the trash - arrested for snooping through a dead child's things for a story - paying others to do this - and of course lying about it.

If James Murdoch is also arrested it will be interesting to see them stand behind the lawyers and refuse to answer. I don't think the committee will take kindly to that. The dignity of the UK is somewhat at stake when the world can see this is how the "free press" works and I would imagine the committee (unless it's full of pedophiles being blackmailed by NewsCorp) will take a dim view of this.

She apparently has been arrested in respect of both investigations (hacking and police payments).

When they arrest someone in the UK what does that mean? Is she being kept in jail or the police station for questioning? Is there a 48 hour period before they have to file charges or something?

**Chris** Sun 17 Jul - 15:45

widowan wrote:
Chris wrote:
widowan wrote:
MaryB wrote:From what I read last week, she has already implied that she might not be able to answer questions during this Parliamentary thing on Tuesday because there is an ongoing investigation. So she had already decided she wouldn't answer questions. I hope they see them all separately at the 'meeting' on Tuesday. No conferring.

Yup. Judicial secrecy and all that! We know the way their lawyers advise them. Obviously, don't talk. Don't say anything at all. But that makes you look guilty, so they have this excuse of an investigation.

Her reputation will be in the trash - arrested for snooping through a dead child's things for a story - paying others to do this - and of course lying about it.

If James Murdoch is also arrested it will be interesting to see them stand behind the lawyers and refuse to answer. I don't think the committee will take kindly to that. The dignity of the UK is somewhat at stake when the world can see this is how the "free press" works and I would imagine the committee (unless it's full of pedophiles being blackmailed by NewsCorp) will take a dim view of this.

She apparently has been arrested in respect of both investigations (hacking and police payments).

When they arrest someone in the UK what does that mean? Is she being kept in jail or the police station for questioning? Is there a 48 hour period before they have to file charges or something?

If she is a suspect rather than a witness she has to be arrested to be questioned under caution. No doubt she will be released under police bail after initial questioning since she poses no threat to the public.

**widowan** Sun 17 Jul - 15:49

Home Secretary Theresa May is to tell MPs about her "concerns" over the Metropolitan Police's hiring of ex-News of the World journalist Neil Wallis, who is currently on bail over phone hacking allegations
Labour leader Ed Miliband calls for new media ownership rules to limit Rupert Murdoch's "dangerous" and "unhealthy" concentration of power

----------------------------

I like Theresa May. I don't know why.

So is the Met the one doing the arresting and they are also the ones who were taking payments from News Int? That doesn't seem very good, They should have some other body who can be less prejudicial.

I can't even figure out why Brooks would want some guy to dress like Harry Potter as her pet project. Particularly to show up at a news conference that way the day after 9/11. I think she may have been making up the news for so long that she forgot how the real world thinks. Another narcissistic sociopath or is this just how the rich and powerful operate?

Guest Sun 17 Jul - 16:09

@dontgetfooled

Masterstroke! Brooks has hired #bellpottinger, the same PR firm that represented the #Bahrain regime & #Trafigura HT @kjalee @tomchivers

not forgetting the #McCanns

**margaret** Sun 17 Jul - 16:24

widowan wrote:

I like Theresa May. I don't know why.

So do l, she seems to have her head screwed on and is making some excellent decisions. Rebekah Brooks arrested - Page 2 944533

Our paper (Mail on Sunday) says we're going to have 'Claires Law' so women can ring up and check whether a man has ever been arrested for violence aginst women after Clare Wood who was brutally murdered by a man she met on FB.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015564/Clares-law-After-mothers-brutal-murder-women-right-check-abusive-partners-criminal-records.html

**widowan** Sun 17 Jul - 16:40

That sounds like a good law.

I wonder what Maddie's Law would be, if they named one after her? Not an Amber Alert that describes the perpetrtor of an abduction no one saw and for which there is no evidence.

Would it be the illegalization of listening services? Or more firm laws around neglect?

**widowan** Sun 17 Jul - 16:44

Chris wrote:
carmen wrote:
@TomParmenter

Dowler family solicitor Mark Lewis tells Sky News that timing of Rebekah Brooks arrest "stinks" #hacking

Actually what stinks is that the day RB was arrested by arrangement a NI paper runs a story about Met police "corruption" which seems pretty much a non-story. To manipulate the news away from the arrest perhaps?

If the Met squares off against NI (I won't say the press because not all the press is involved in the payoffs we hope) what does NI have on their side? They can say, WELL, YOU took our bribes! That's not really a strong argument against them having offering pay for access to what should be deeply secure information.

**Dimsie** Sun 17 Jul - 16:52

widowan wrote:That sounds like a good law.

I wonder what Maddie's Law would be, if they named one after her? Not an Amber Alert that describes the perpetrtor of an abduction no one saw and for which there is no evidence.

Would it be the illegalization of listening services? Or more firm laws around neglect?

Maddie's Law should be a law that makes it a criminal offence to leave young children on their own. This would be the best legacy that Madeleine could leave, the protection of other children from feckless parents.

**buildersbum** Sun 17 Jul - 18:02

Bl00dy hell, been on twitter on and off today, and found a tweet about Blair and Cameron, saying that they could be arrested next week, Rebekah Brooks arrested - Page 2 29204

C&P it and its not buggy worked, christ I hope its true Rebekah Brooks arrested - Page 2 873702

Going to go back and try and find it, ive looked at that much stuff today I'm off Rebekah Brooks arrested - Page 2 847843

Ollybelle Sun 17 Jul - 18:06

buildersbum wrote:
Bl00dy hell, been on twitter on and off today, and found a tweet about Blair and Cameron, saying that they could be arrested next week, C&P it and its not buggy worked, christ I hope its true

Going to go back and try and find it, ive looked at that much stuff today I'm off

I saw this too Buildersbum.. Tuesday is meant to be very interesting Rebekah Brooks arrested - Page 2 25346

**buildersbum** Sun 17 Jul - 18:12

thanks for that Olly, its so fustrating when you have read something and can't prove it.

Someone else also said that "All hell would break out next week" interesting times ahead, if true Rebekah Brooks arrested - Page 2 25346

Guest Sun 17 Jul - 18:29

Just posted

SFO faces calls to investigate hacking pay-outs
By Ben Fenton and Caroline Binham
The Serious Fraud Office has been urged to open an investigation about payments made by News International in the aftermath of the original phone hacking case in 2007, in case they breached the fiduciary duty of directors.
Tom Watson, a Labour member of the culture, media and sport committee, wrote on Sunday to Richard Alderman, the director of the SFO pointing out his concerns over payments made to Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, amounting to about £700,000.
More....

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc369f14-b092-11e0-a5a7-00144feab49a.html#axzz1SNtyYfzG

limited copy because of explicit copyright

Please respect FT.com's ts&cs and copyright policy which allow you to: share links; copy content for personal use; & redistribute limited extracts.

**Chris** Sun 17 Jul - 18:34

carmen wrote:Just posted

SFO faces calls to investigate hacking pay-outs
By Ben Fenton and Caroline Binham
The Serious Fraud Office has been urged to open an investigation about payments made by News International in the aftermath of the original phone hacking case in 2007, in case they breached the fiduciary duty of directors.
Tom Watson, a Labour member of the culture, media and sport committee, wrote on Sunday to Richard Alderman, the director of the SFO pointing out his concerns over payments made to Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, amounting to about £700,000.
More....

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc369f14-b092-11e0-a5a7-00144feab49a.html#axzz1SNtyYfzG

limited copy because of explicit copyright

Please respect FT.com's ts&cs and copyright policy which allow you to: share links; copy content for personal use; & redistribute limited extracts.

Given the SFO track record that should definitely ensure no-one is brought to book.

**widowan** Sun 17 Jul - 18:38

What i nthe world would Blair an Cameron be arrested for?

Guest Sun 17 Jul - 18:43

Chris wrote:
carmen wrote:Just posted

SFO faces calls to investigate hacking pay-outs
By Ben Fenton and Caroline Binham
The Serious Fraud Office has been urged to open an investigation about payments made by News International in the aftermath of the original phone hacking case in 2007, in case they breached the fiduciary duty of directors.
Tom Watson, a Labour member of the culture, media and sport committee, wrote on Sunday to Richard Alderman, the director of the SFO pointing out his concerns over payments made to Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, amounting to about £700,000.
More....

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc369f14-b092-11e0-a5a7-00144feab49a.html#axzz1SNtyYfzG

limited copy because of explicit copyright

Please respect FT.com's ts&cs and copyright policy which allow you to: share links; copy content for personal use; & redistribute limited extracts.

Given the SFO track record that should definitely ensure no-one is brought to book.

They've only been urged

@benfenton says SFO has NOT opened inquiry yet into News Intl hacking compensation pay-outs

Guest Sun 17 Jul - 18:56

just tweeted

@SkyNewsBreak: ALERT: Met Police to give statement on Rebekah Brooks LIVE on Sky News shortly.

Guest Sun 17 Jul - 19:16

Channel 4 News reveals a new front in the Murdoch's legal woes as the Serious Fraud Office begins a preliminary investigation into News International.

First there was the Metropolitan police investigation into phone hacking. Then it was an investigation into the payment of police officers for information.

But now, and potentially most concerning to Newscorp shareholders, the focus has moved to the company finances. Channel 4 News has learnt that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is making preliminary inquiries into News International.

Investigators are looking at many cases involving News International to establish whether a full formal investigation is required.

The former minister Tom Watson, wrote to the SFO's Director urging him to investigate alleged breaches of Company Law at News International, relating to payments made after the phone hacking scandal. He said the payments were a "gross misuse of shareholders' money".

Mr Watson's letter raised questions about the secret payments made to hacking victims.

The SFO would not confirm or deny any investigation, as is normal practice.

Faisal Islam writes on the SFO developments:

Although the stories about hacking your phones and bung policemen will capture the headlines, the money trail might prove more toxic.

If the Serious Fraud Office launches a full investigation about misuse of shareholders' money as suggested by Tom Watson MP, this will play into the hands of some News Corp shareholders angry about the power of the Murdochs.

The SFO might also become the agent of any US based inquiries by the likes of the Department of Justice.
Faisal Islam's full report will be available online shortly.

http://www.channel4.com/news/preliminary-inquiry-into-news-international-by-fraud-office

**Chris** Sun 17 Jul - 19:19

Hackgate the movie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFufrqhp0eE

The cast list is hilarious - particularly Little Ed!

marxman Sun 17 Jul - 19:23

Could someone please explain the relevance of R Wade/Brooks the Harry Potter story?

**Chris** Sun 17 Jul - 19:24

marxman wrote:Could someone please explain the relevance of R Wade/Brooks the Harry Potter story?

Are you reading @ExNOTWjourno2? She has been to see the film this afternoon,.

Guest Sun 17 Jul - 19:26

@jameschappers

BREAKING Sources tell me Sir Paul Stephenson is about to resign #hackgate

**margaret** Sun 17 Jul - 19:29

marxman wrote:Could someone please explain the relevance of R Wade/Brooks the Harry Potter story?

Marxman l think it's this (buildersbum posted the link)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1406429/Pottergate-we-publish-the-secret-tapes.html

Pottergate: we publish the secret tapes

12:00AM BST 06 Sep 2002

The story so far…

Last week, Charles Begley, the News of the World's former Harry Potter correspondent, revealed his humiliation at being required to impersonate the schoolboy wizard.

His breaking point came on the afternoon of September 11, when he was summoned to the office of the editor Rebekah Wade and rebuked for not being "in character". Begley, then 29, was told to appear in full Potter regalia at the next day's news conference. He parted ways with the paper a few weeks later and is now considering legal action against his former employers. (His initial claim was turned down because he had been on staff for only six months.)

Begley's account was this week dismissed by Stuart Kuttner, the tabloid's managing editor, as "deeply flawed". In a letter to this paper, he said that his former reporter was a "fantasist" and Ms Wade had "made no request" for Begley to "parade as Harry Potter".

And now? As if by magic - a tape recording of conversations between Begley and senior NoW executives has suddenly "apparated" at Telegraph Towers. . .
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* Officer in charge of original UK phone-hacking inquiry to be questioned by home affairs select committee - @Telegraph09 Jul 2011(Telegraph News)
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[what's this]

Tues, Sept 11, three hours after the collapse of the Twin Towers: Begley is told to turn up at tomorrow's news conference, dressed as Harry Potter.

Wed, Sept 12: Still feeling stunned, he phones his newsdesk editor Neville Thurlbeck for confirmation.

CB: Hi, Neville. I just wanted to check, given the enormity of events in America - will the editor still need me dressed up as Harry Potter for conference?

NT: Well, she knew exactly what was going on yesterday afternoon and she still wanted you to dress up then. I think you should just assume she wants you to do it now.

Wed, Sept 26: (Begley did not turn up to conference on Sept 12 and, shortly afterwards, was signed off with stress by his doctor.) He speaks to Stuart Kuttner on the phone.

SK: We heard you weren't well. What's the problem?

CB: I've been diagnosed with stress.

SK: That bit I do know. Now, tell me about it, and we'll see what, if anything, we can do.

CB: There were a couple of events which brought things to a head. A few hours after the attack on the World Trade Centre, I was asked by Rebekah to dress up as Harry Potter. She wanted me to dress up and go to her office in the middle of the newsroom.

SK: Which date was that?

CB: That was on Tuesday, September 11. It was the afternoon, less than three hours after [the attacks]. I went into her office and Andy [Coulson, the deputy editor] was on the sofa and Rebekah was on the phone. Andy asked me where was my Harry Potter suit and I made some excuse, saying: it's not here, it's in the photo studio. [Actually], it was in the office, but it was hardly appropriate for a journalist to be prancing about as Harry Potter. Andy told me I should always have my Harry Potter gear around, in case of a Harry Potter emergency, and told me that the morning after, I was to dress up for conference as Harry Potter. So, at that time, [when] we were working on the assumption that up to 50,000 people had been killed, I was required to parade myself around morning conference, dressed as Harry Potter.

SK: I see.

CB: What person with any journalistic integrity can be humiliated like that, or told to perform like that?

SK: How did you deal with that?

CB: I was pretty dumbstruck, to be honest. I just said, "Right, okay", and left the office. The following morning, I called Neville before leaving home and asked him, given what had happened, did Rebekah still need me to dress up as Harry Potter?

SK: Right, well, I'm sorry that you're under the weather. I'm concerned about you.

CB: I've spoken to my doctor. I do value my job. I've worked hard to get my job. I just don't think I can cope with it at the minute.

SK: All right, I've listened to what you've said: a) you have been very straightforward in this call, and b) well, you appear to be very stressed. You had better take it easy and we'll talk again very soon.

Later that afternoon, Greg Miskiw, the assistant editor (news), [who was away the week of September 11] calls Begley.

GM: I've heard you're ill. What's the problem?

[Begley repeats what he told Kuttner.]

CB: Neville got a message from Rebekah asking me to dress up in my Potter gear and go to her office. I think Neville was as surprised as I was. I just couldn't bring myself to prance about as Harry Potter when something like 50,000 people were dead.

GM: I understand where you're coming from. You want to be taken seriously as a journalist, you don't want to be prancing around doing silly things.

CB: I'm not being precious. I toed along with it as far as possible. I didn't walk out there and then, but I have to say I was tempted.

GM: Well, if I'd have been there, I would have said to her: look, he can't. . . Ah, well. You said two things?

CB: I heard more great Harry Potter scenarios [were planned]. I'd be in Hollywood prancing around, while Stuart White [NoW's American editor] and I don't know who else would [be] in New York doing proper stuff. I would be dressed up as a transvestite teenage schoolboy, for God's sake. I did it for as long as I could. It's a shame because I'd worked hard to get my job. But I couldn't.

GM: OK.

CB: I'm sorry that you've been left to deal with it, because I'm sure you're faced with a bit of an inquisition on this. I'm not trying to swing the lead.

GM: I hear what you're saying, Charles. When I went in to talk to Rebekah this morning, she was concerned this had happened. It was mentioned if it was this Harry Potter thing. At that point, I didn't know about all this. So, what do you want me to do with this information?

CB: Well, [Rebekah Wade] should know. She should be aware of it. I don't want to criticise her in a phone call, but I can't see how the editor of the - as we're always reminded - best paper in the country, could expect a reporter to do that. I'm not being precious - I know we have to do silly things. It was hardly appropriate and it was bloody humiliating. That was just too much.

GM: I hear you. Let me speak to Stuart.

Later on Wed Sept 26: Miskiw calls back.

GM: Stuart would like to know what your plans are. Now, we don't want to lose you. I'm not asking you to come in tomorrow. Come in on Friday. We had this problem, and we sorted it out. We are taking this serious, in the sense of how it's affected you. Rebekah has heard what you've said, and accepts what you're saying. Stuart has heard what you've said, and accepts what you're saying. But saying "I'll call you tomorrow" is not really acceptable.

CB: I'm thinking to myself that my situation now was that my copy book was completely blotted.

GM: It's not. I don't want you to think that. What you need to do is pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and say : "Fuck it". Rebekah has said: Right, let's get him off the Harry Potter thing. Let's get him [to change his name back by deed poll].

CB: Obviously, I do want to come back to work, but if I just rush back in. . .

GM: We really don't want to put any pressure on you.

CB: I find it hard to believe that for the editor's pet project to crumble away, in such a spectacular fashion, is not going to be held against me in any way.

GM: Listen Charles, I decide who goes out on jobs. If a good story comes in on Friday, I'm going to put you on it. I promise you, I'm giving you good advice here. I can't afford to lose someone of your calibre.

Begley agrees to call Miskiw back in an hour. Later still, Wed Sept 26.

CB: I don't think I can make a final decision on my future right now.

GM: I'm not forcing you into a decision. I'm telling you something that will benefit you.

CB: I'm so wound up about all this.

GM: Charles, Charles, Charles, let me tell you something. This is not a business for prima donnas. You know that and I know that.

CB: I'm disillusioned. . .

GM: I have told you that this is not going to be held against you. Charles, you should think very seriously about coming in on Tuesday.

CB: Well, to be frank, Greg, as far as my future at News International is concerned, I haven't toed the line for the editor's pet project. I didn't prance around while the World Trade Centre was being bombed, for her personal amusement. I can't just stroll in.

GM: Why not? Charles, that is what we do - we go out and destroy other people's lives.

CB: I don't want to waste any more of your time, Greg. I'm sorry.

GM: Well, look after yourself. Cheers

**margaret** Sun 17 Jul - 19:31

Now on Sky News Sir Paul Stephenson resigns !

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