Alpha 
Post by fretslider on Jul 9, 2011 4:48:57 GMT -5
The phone hacking scandal is gathering momentum with each drip-drip of information that comes out. Its clear that for a time the culture was hacking gave easy access to the 'celebs' and a scoop. Ethically, journalists have always crossed the line and always will, but for a whole newspaper to be implicated is about as serious as it gets.
Its serious enough (to the future of News International) for Rupert Murdoch to fly in to in the UK to confront the growing crisis at his media group. News of the World staff have reportedly been told their newsroom will become a crime scene after they leave the building today.
So what of the alleged Police corruption? You don't exactly hear much about that and the fact that Scotland Yard's original investigation into hacking was extremely limited, limited to two journos, when this thing was far, far bigger. The police were adamant that they had fully investigated the matter.
Murdoch's intervention comes as a 63-year-old man in Surrey was held and quizzed in connection with alleged corrupt payments made to police officers. The man was later bailed until October. News International documents showing Met Police officers took money from the newspaper have been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Former deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick said some officers may have received up to £30,000 for giving information.
Scotland Yard initially met the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) last month to discuss the content of documents provided by News International. “At that time it was agreed that the MPS would conduct the investigation and if, or when, any officers were identified, the cases would be referred to the IPCC,” a spokesperson said. Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson says he is “determined” to see any officers who received payments facing criminal conviction.
Hmmm, so the Met is once again investigating itself.
Deborah Glass, of the IPCC, say's “It is obviously crucial that the officers involved are identified. I will personally supervise this investigation to give independent oversight and ensure that it is robust in its attempts to identify any officer who may have committed an offence.
“There is an ongoing complex and interconnected criminal inquiry which is looking at the actions of the media and other members of the public as well as the police, and it is important that the overall effectiveness of the investigation being carried out by the MPS under the leadership of DAC Sue Akers is not compromised. “Once those officers have been identified, I will review our level of involvement so that we can exercise our full range of powers.
“The public’s confidence has been understandably shaken by these allegations. By providing independent oversight, I want to be able to be satisfied - and say with confidence to the public - that the Met has done everything it can to identify the officers involved.”
Which doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
Its serious enough (to the future of News International) for Rupert Murdoch to fly in to in the UK to confront the growing crisis at his media group. News of the World staff have reportedly been told their newsroom will become a crime scene after they leave the building today.
So what of the alleged Police corruption? You don't exactly hear much about that and the fact that Scotland Yard's original investigation into hacking was extremely limited, limited to two journos, when this thing was far, far bigger. The police were adamant that they had fully investigated the matter.
Murdoch's intervention comes as a 63-year-old man in Surrey was held and quizzed in connection with alleged corrupt payments made to police officers. The man was later bailed until October. News International documents showing Met Police officers took money from the newspaper have been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Former deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick said some officers may have received up to £30,000 for giving information.
Scotland Yard initially met the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) last month to discuss the content of documents provided by News International. “At that time it was agreed that the MPS would conduct the investigation and if, or when, any officers were identified, the cases would be referred to the IPCC,” a spokesperson said. Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson says he is “determined” to see any officers who received payments facing criminal conviction.
Hmmm, so the Met is once again investigating itself.
Deborah Glass, of the IPCC, say's “It is obviously crucial that the officers involved are identified. I will personally supervise this investigation to give independent oversight and ensure that it is robust in its attempts to identify any officer who may have committed an offence.
“There is an ongoing complex and interconnected criminal inquiry which is looking at the actions of the media and other members of the public as well as the police, and it is important that the overall effectiveness of the investigation being carried out by the MPS under the leadership of DAC Sue Akers is not compromised. “Once those officers have been identified, I will review our level of involvement so that we can exercise our full range of powers.
“The public’s confidence has been understandably shaken by these allegations. By providing independent oversight, I want to be able to be satisfied - and say with confidence to the public - that the Met has done everything it can to identify the officers involved.”
Which doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
