Hacks and hacking

Today's Guardian reports on speculation that a deal has been done between News of the World representatives and publicist Max Clifford to settle a court case which threatens to disclose further evidence of the involvement of its ­journalists in illegal information-gathering by private investigators.

The article states, “The Clifford case is potentially important for Andy Coulson, media adviser to the Conservative leader David Cameron, who edited the News of the World at the time of the illegal interceptions”.

If it goes to court, it is anticipated that evidence will be provided to show that hacking and illegal use of pin codes was much more widespread and involved many more journalists than had been previously disclosed.

The claim is that that mobile phone companies found more than 100 customers whose voicemail had been accessed in the previous 12 months and that Scotland Yard has admitted that material seized included 91 pin codes. The firms are supposed to have warned individuals in government, the military, the police and the royal household that their messages may have been intercepted.

Known victims include Prince William, Prince Harry, the former culture secretary Tessa Jowell, and the mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

The real kicker, according to the Guardian may come on Thursday when a High Court judge is to consider ordering Scotland Yard to disclose all relevant material which officers seized following arrests in August 2006. If Clifford drops his case, none of this material would be disclosed.

The case has important implications not only for Coulson (and his new boss) but also for the PCC and Scotland Yard who both claimed they found no evidence of News of the World involvement in hacking other than by former royal correspondent, Clive Goodman who was subsequently nicked.

(CS)