Calls for judicial inquiry into News of the World phone hacking
The government is facing calls for a judicial inquiry into allegations that Scotland Yard cut short an investigation into the News of the World because of an allegedly close relationship with the title.
It is a new twist in a long running saga surrounding Andy Coulson, former editor of the tabloid and now the Prime Minister’s media adviser, who faced charges of his own in yesterday’s New York Times after being accused of freely discussing unlawful means of news gathering with journalists under his tenure.
Clive Goodman, the news of the World’s royal correspondent, was jailed in January 2007 for illegally intercepting the voicemail of seven people.
The NYT accused the paper of harbouring other journalists guilty of carrying out similar crimes against other victims. In consequence The News of the World confirmed it has suspended another journalist whilst it investigates these renewed allegations.