David Allen Green

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The hacking of Milly Dowler's voicemails

The Guardian allegations make the phone-hacking investigation even more serious.

By David Allen Green Published 04 July 2011 18:17

Nick Davies and Amelia Hill of the Guardian have just revealed that the News of the World hacked into the telephone of the then missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

Significantly, the newspaper is alleged to have deleted messages to ensure that the voicemail inbox was not filled up.

This was during an on-going police investigation into a disappearance. The deleted voicemails could have been evidence in respect of the crime, or information that could have assisted the police.

If these allegations are correct, then the current police investigation is now no longer just into breaches of the legislation relating to phone hacking.

This would now appear to be an inquiry into a perversion of the course of justice. The police and the courts do not take such offences lightly.

Not only has the "Hackgate" scandal gone onto a more sickeningly bad level, the seeming criminality is now also far more serious.

 

David Allen Green is legal correspondent of the New Statesman.

Tags: Milly Dowler  David Allen Green  Phone hacking scandal  News of the World

 
 

10 comments

inquisitor's picture

Mon, 2011-07-18 02:25 — inquisitor (not verified)

The question is now who are News Corp covering up for in the murder of Milly Dowler by deleting possible suspects voice mails??

Pat's picture

Tue, 2011-07-05 14:38 — Pat (not verified)

I think Conspiracy to Pervert the Course of Justice could nail the managers, if the evidence could be found that they approved this.

But it will probably come down to when Murdoch decides the unfavorable publicity is too much and fires Brooks. The last thing he wants is a government to come to power without his sanction, ready to implement effective ownership laws for the media. And if the outcry is big enough, this will happen (think a nationwide boycott of his newspapers...)

Dw's picture

Mon, 2011-07-04 19:41 — Dw (not verified)

At worst, the hackers were guilty of taking actions that they ought to have known might have led to a perversion of the course of justice. Is that an offence?

Bob fowler's picture

Mon, 2011-07-04 20:10 — Bob fowler (not verified)

So far it looks like any prosecutions will be of individuals who News International will be happy to see as scapegoats. Is there any scope for some sort of corporate prosecution, since it clearly isn't just one or two rogue operatives?

Lou's picture

Mon, 2011-07-04 20:17 — Lou (not verified)

It also begs the question of how many other hackings there were in similar situations, missing people, criminal cases etc?

It's an insult for this to constantly be passed off as the actions of one or two,it was clearly systemic and institutionalised in News Corp. Bob Fowler is right that some sort of corporate liability prosecution should take place and Coulson, Brooks/Wade and the rest should all be put before a jury.

Adam's picture

Mon, 2011-07-04 20:24 — Adam (not verified)

When you say "have just revealed", I think you mean "have just alleged", don't you?

If the allegations are true, then they are indeed extremely serious, but let's not forget that they are at this stage still just allegations.

I'm sure you'd agree that we shouldn't rush to judgement based only on a newspaper article, wouldn't you? Even scumbags like the News of the World are innocent until proven guilty.

@Michael's picture

Mon, 2011-07-04 22:01 — @Michael (not verified)

These are extremely serious accusations, and it would seem almost certain that somebody did this, or was told to do this. However, there is also something called "due process" which DAG has been extremely keen to point out to those who would prejudge issues.

What is required here is surely a thorough investigation to find out those who were culpable (assuming these allegations are correct). Criminal culpability is a matter for the state and clearly has to be pursued.

However, there is also a name & shame exercise for a newspaper or editor that did not care to question too much of their sources. That might not be sufficient to warrant a criminal conviction, but should surely result in sackings, resignations or the like.

It would seem at this point that News International ought to commission a fully independent (difficult) enquiry into what has happened here and to be bound by its findings. If they don't do so, then we are all surely justified in thinking that Rupert Murdoch's outfit sole interest is in a cover-up.

mcquade's picture

Mon, 2011-07-04 22:31 — mcquade

"However, there is also something called "due process" which DAG has been extremely keen to point out to those who would prejudge issues."

And those has never included the News of the World, of course.

Steve Jones's picture

Mon, 2011-07-04 22:54 — Steve Jones (not verified)

@mcquade

It matters not a jot whether or not the NoW, or anybody else, does not believe in "due process" - it's beholden on those that do have faith in such a system to follow through.

nb. I'm impressed that the New Statesman is doing a basic IQ check before it allows somebody to post a comment. The arithmetic check should be sufficient to keep most readers of the NoW at bay.

Whatsgoingon's picture

Tue, 2011-07-05 08:46 — Whatsgoingon

I agree Tom Watson on the silence by the party leaders on the whole scandal.

Can you imagine the media and polItical reaction if the phone hacking was done by the BBC?

Unlike in the US (Madoff, Conrad Black,) none of the big wigs at NOTW will face any serious criminal proceeding from their "friends" in criminal justice system.

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