Thursday, 29 September 2011

Paying the price of hacking

It is said that Andy Coulson was always considered a trendsetter – not least by himself. The former editor and government spin chief is suing his ex-employer News International after they stopped paying his legal fees. Coulson was arrested in July over the phone-hacking scandal but continues to deny knowledge of the practice.

His litigious example has now been followed by ex-assistant editor Ian Edmondson and ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck who have lodged tribunal papers for unfair dismissal. The pair were both arrested on suspicion of phone hacking. Their bail has been extended to March.

It is further bad news News Corporation who are also getting twitchy that a number of UK victims of alleged hacking are considering US legal action. Lawyers in New York are said to be “exploring” the feasibility of a case against Rupert Murdoch's media group where court payouts could be crippling.

All indications are that News International continues to pay the legal expenses of Rebekah Brooks, former chief executive and former NoW editor - for now.

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