Predictions for the phone hacking scandal?

[David Johnson]

I've written here about how many people have now resigned over this, the latest being the Met Commissioner. All of them, of course, knew nothing about any criminality whatsoever.

http://bgafd.co.uk/forum/read.php?f=3&i=247907&t=247836

So we have lost one senior policeman and numerous NOTW executives and journalists.

My guess is that the plod who reviewed Glenn Mulcaire's 11,000 pages of notes containing the private details of 4,000 people and then told John Yates that there was nothing there to reopen the case, might have a few local difficulties. Alternatively, if they told Yates there was concerns which he ignored, then Yates is for the chop.

Apparently the Director of Public Affairs at the Met, denied telling Andy Hayman, who was in overall charge of the hacking case, that it was okay for Hayman to socialise with the people he was investigating. Andy Hayman looks as if he could have a difficult time.

But what about the politicians. The NOTW executives are notorious about keeping dirt on politicians for when they need it. I think there could be some interesting stuff emerging about the Blair/Murdoch relationship. And Cameron seems to have been dragged screaming by Miliband to do anything at all about Murdoch.

I wonder what dirt the NOTW staff have about Cameron?

Cheers
D

[Jonone]

Stephenson wouldn't have gone if it was at all avoidable. For a man like him to pass-up the opportunity to front-up the Met in the Olympic year ... that's quite something no ?

[andy at handiwork]

Its very hard to make predictions, especially about the future.

[David Johnson]

I havent heard the statement that Stephenson made which apparently was a 15 minute defence against any impropriety.

I suspect there were two reasons:

1. He has recently had a major cancer operation and he probably thought "fuck it, I can do without all this given I am not far short of 60". He's got the police enquiry Operation Weeting to oversee into phone hacking. He's got the enquiry into police corruption going on. And he has got the various parliamentary committees to attend. I suspect he probably thought I can do without all of this on top of the day job.

2. I find it hard to believe that it is acceptable for a Metropolitan Commissioner to take ?12,000 in gratuities from a businessman (board and lodging at Champneys Health farm for 5 weeks) even if you do write it down in a book somewhere. Given that this story only emerged yesterday, I would guess this is the main reason - disciplinary action further down the line which has led to his resignation.

Cheers
D

[David Johnson]

"Its very hard to make predictions, especially about the future."

As opposed to making predictions about the past, you mean?

Despite the difficulty of predicting anything with regard to this gobsmacking case, I would be surprised if we didnt end up with any politician resignations, given that it is obviously three areas - police, media, politicians enmeshed.

Cheers
D

[David Johnson]

I listened to Stephenson's resignation speech yesterday and he had a go at Cameron.

The gist of it was

"Here am I getting it in the neck from Cameron, Theresa May etc for the Met hiring Wallis, the former deputy editor at the NOTW and not telling the PM etc etc. Yet when the MeT hired Wallis he had absolutely no connection with the hacking scandal and was only being hired on a 2 day per week consultancy basis. Yet Cameron employed Andy Coulson who had actually resigned over the phone hacking scandal and who just about every journalist in the NOTW said that he must have known about the phone hacking going on. This close relationship with Coulson prevented me telling the PM/Theresa May about the Wallis appointment when the Murdoch scandal really blew up"

Fair comment, I would have thought. Secondly the Mail printed a story that Rebekah Brooks pressurised Cameron to take Coulson on board so there would be a direct link with News International. And Cameron went with Coulson even though the Guardian provided details to him about his dodgy dealings and many people including Clegg, Paddy Ashdown, John Prescott, etc etc tried to warn Cameron off.

It's going to be an interesting time for Cameron.

Cheers
D

[Flat_Eric]

They tried to make me go to Rehab, but I said NOOO NOOO NOO ....

Oops, sorry. Wrong thread.

- Eric

[David Johnson]

Good example of metrosexual humour there, Eric.

Not my thing, metrosexual humour, but it seems to suit you!

!wink!

D

[Flat_Eric]

Oh David (sigh).

Despite always having plenty to say without actually saying very much worthwhile at all, I doubt you even know what "metrosexual" actually means!

I suspect that it's just a word you've seen somewhere, latched onto and saved up for a rainy day, so to speak. And I also suspect that you most likely came across it while poking your nose around somewhere where you're not welcome during one of your surfing forays in the wee small hours, when those of us with better things to do are sound asleep.

But at least I have a sense of humour - metrosexual or otherwise! It beats being a dour, pompous windbag who just *thinks* he's funny any day of the week!

- Eric

!wink!

[David Johnson]

Sorry to touch a raw nerve, Eric.

"Despite always having plenty to say without actually saying very much worthwhile at all"

Thump! How cruel of you, Eric.

"I doubt you even know what "metrosexual" actually means!"

Ouch! Perhaps you could explain to myself and Sam Slater?

"But at least I have a sense of humour - metrosexual or otherwise! It beats being a dour, pompous windbag who just *thinks* he's funny any day of the week!"

Kepow! Cor blimey, who said biting satire is dead on this forum.

I do find your comments a tad bitchy, Eric. Is it my imagination or are you clearly in touch with your feminine side?

Cheers
D