Phone-hacking scandal: Andy Coulson 'listened to intercepted messages' (C4 tonight)

[muriel_volestrangler]

The prime minister's media adviser, Andy Coulson, personally listened to the intercepted voicemail messages of public figures when he edited the News of the World, a senior journalist who worked alongside him has said.

Coulson has always denied knowing about any illegal activity by the journalists who worked for him, but an unidentified former executive from the paper told Channel Four Dispatches that Coulson not only knew his reporters were using intercepted voicemail but was also personally involved.

"Sometimes, they would say: 'We've got a recording' and Andy would say: 'OK, bring it into my office and play it to me' or 'Bring me, email me a transcript of it'," the journalist said.

The claim, due to be broadcast tomorrow night, goes beyond earlier statements by Coulson's former colleagues.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/03/phone-hacking-scandal-andy-coulson

The programme is presented by Peter Oborne, who is a conservative, but a member of the awkward squad, and contains plenty more accusations of News International influencing or even threatening politicians and policemen.

[oldironside]

1. It will be interesting...

... to see Coulson's reaction. Will he sue? One would imagine C4 won't take any chances with the content, given the opposition.

[ikri]

2. Like they sued The Guardian?

I'm fairly sure that both C4 & the Guardian have more than hearsay & innuendo for the story.

[fedsron2us]

3. Interesting program

As always it is important to note that it is not just the 'liberal' media keen to put the boot into News International. The Daily Mail journalist Stephen Glover's presence shows that the desire to cut Murdoch down to size is not just a left wing dream. If the News International Empire ever does start to totter there are plenty of jackals only to keen to devour its readership.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

5. The Tory press can hold a three-line whip for a few months into election season

but there's plenty of bad blood there. Tweedle Mail and Tweedle Express took snipes at each other for over a decade, and neither where particularly Murdoch fans. Money and circulation wars have done the talking.

[T_i_B]

4. Watched it last night.

Very depressing.

I should also point out that John Whittingdale used be my MP. What a complete and utter turd he is!

[Anarcho-Socialist]

6. Interesting stuff

It depends on how much Cameron is willing to hold on to Coulson, and how much he's willing to lean on the Met.

The non-Murdoch Tory rags can afford to go after Cameron over this as Labour does not yet offer a coherent opposition and any general election is years away.

My expectation is that Coulson will leave "of his own free will to pursue other exciting projects and career opportunities" and that "recent allegations have not had any bearing on his decision."