David Allen Green

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Closing the News of the World makes no legal difference

All the court cases and the police investigation will continue as before.

By David Allen Green Published 07 July 2011 19:43

Whatever the PR and political merits of the decision to close the News of the World, it makes no legal difference whatsoever in respect of the phone-hacking scandal. The applicable criminal and civil legal obligations are owed by News International and the individuals concerned. All that has happened is a withdrawal of a branded product from the marketplace. The product in question may well be a venerable and famous newspaper, but the law will be blind to this.

The criminal investigation and the civil actions against News International and the relevant individuals will continue as before.

 

David Allen Green is legal correspondent of the New Statesman.

Tags: News of the World

 
 

7 comments

Simon Morice's picture

Fri, 2011-07-08 13:45 — Simon Morice (not verified)

All that will happen is that the 'News of The World' sign will be replaced with a more symmetrical 'The Sun on Sunday' - and nothing else will change.

Casandra's picture

Thu, 2011-07-28 06:54 — Casandra

All that will happen is that the 'News of The World' sign will be replaced with a more symmetrical 'The Sun on Sunday' - and nothing else will change. http://www.homeimprovementhq.net/

Wrensense's picture

Thu, 2011-07-07 20:29 — Wrensense (not verified)

Is this before more revelations I wonder?
Any kind of attempt at cover up will
not be accepted in any case.
Seems like a political and legal minefield.....I hope!

David Allen Green1's picture

Fri, 2011-07-08 19:26 — David Allen Green1

The first publication of this post also had the sentence "And, of course, the treatment of the purchase of the remaining shares of BSkyB is in no way affected."

This was incorrect as I had completely forgotten that the "plurality" test still is to be appllied.

I apologise for my mistake.

Cempreepsyfet's picture

Thu, 2011-07-07 22:16 — Cempreepsyfet

Wow! You don't say! What would we do without your whiz legal brain, eh? Gee, thanks.

Greedy's picture

Fri, 2011-07-08 01:06 — Greedy (not verified)

what if I told you I could give you back 5 years?

Mr Lizard's picture

Fri, 2011-07-08 02:38 — Mr Lizard (not verified)

Is there any prospect of action under the Proceeds of Crime Act, ie NOTW bank accounts?

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