News International. The Saga Continues...

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2011/jul/07/news-of-the-world-phone-hacking-live-coverage

Last edition on Sunday.

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That's like the National Enquirer closing here, no?

Much, much bigger. The NOTW is 168 years old and is, despite it all, a 'proper' newspaper which poltiicians, celebrities and public figures will talk to.

However...I expect this is not great loss to News International. Sunday Sun anyone?

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Now onto the other NewsCorp papers, unworthy of being used as toilet paper.

On that note, I always enjoy reading the Guardians view on incidents like these as the Guardian Media Group are no saints...

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Labour's response has been interestingly guarded. News International of course had Labour's ear until 2009. A 'holier than thou' response would be suicidal so Ed Milliband is wise to continue his tradition of saying very little

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Mike Smithson thinks that Cameron's Premiership could soon meet the same fate.

Highly unlikely. Politicising the event is very dangerous affair. Remember, the hackings took place during the premierships of Blair and Brown who, despite the protestations of some in the media both sought and received News International's backing (and the backing of the NoTW itself) in three general elections.

There are lots of little things remember; the mysterious leaking of 'what's in Gordons budget' to the NoTW/Sun and Times almost every year, Murdoch visiting Brown in 2009 when the hacking allegations surfaced to 'stop' his MP's pressing the issue, Mandelsons 'hotline' to Brooks.

Even in February this year there was an orchestrated co-ordinated media narrative over 'middle income earners' by both Ed Balls and News International titles (with Balls giving interviews in both the Sun and the Times)

At the same time Milly Dowlers phone was being hacked, Labour apparachiks were scuttling back and forth from Wapping. So were the Tories of course. Such is politics. A bit of honesty and reflection over this wouldn't be unwelcome.

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Neither Tony Blair nor Gordon Brown hired Andy Coulson as their top spin doctor...

Indeed, it was up to Ed Miliband to hire a News International man for his

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News International papers targeted Gordon Brown - The Guardian

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While truly, genuinely awful it doesn't seem to have affected their relationship with Rebekah Brooks too much as despite saying to the Browns 'we did this and we're printing it', Sarah Brown still organised a 40th birthday party for her, stayed in their circle of friends and was invited to a No. 10 'slumber party.' They also attended her wedding.

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http://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2011/07/11/could-the-murdoch-press-be-no-more/

I'd rather him stay with the papers if that means he can't have Sky. A Fox News UK would do 10x more damage than any front page slash on The Sun ever could..

If he ran Sky News with the same editorial stance as Fox News it would fail. Besides Murdoch tailors his media to it's market.

Also be careful what you wish for; the Mail on Sunday (editorially and politically a far worse paper than the NoTW) will probably fill the gap come Sunday (one glance at it's online content should be a big hint)

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Something very interesting from Ed Milliband today

“Let me ask the Culture Secretary a series of questions. First, on the subject the judge-led inquiry, as soon as an inquiry is established, tampering with or the destruction of any documents becomes a criminal offence. We already know that is relevant to the offices of the News of the World. It may also be relevant to any documents in No. 10 Downing street and Conservative headquarters.”

If he is accusing No. 10 of destroying documents then that is a very serious accusation. If he cannot substantiate it then he should withdraw it immediately.

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I don't completely get why Cameron's running away from this whole thing. Refusing to ask Brooks to go, refusing to debate today. Has he got something to hide? Even Clegg's climbed out from under his rock (hadn't heard much about him for about a month and a half) to say a few words about it.

It would be improper for the Prime Minister to tell an independent press who they should hire and fire for short term political gain, something Ed appears to have forgotten.

As for 'running away' Cameron gave his second press conference on the matter yesterday afternoon.

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Government to back motion for Murdoch to withdraw bid for BSkyB

Best way to deal with a politicised motion IMO. Takes the wind out of the sails.

Speaking of which Brown's story is starting to spring leaks...

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Watching Gordon Brown in the Commons now. He's brilliant.

I felt quite sorry for him. It was essentially a rant (which breached civil service protocal) from a man who finally turned up to the Commons and shattered what had until then been a bi-partisan atmosphere. He never stood up to News International; he fawned over them and screeching about it in the Commons won't change that fact.

Nick Clegg revealed that when Andy Coulson resigned from the NoTW, Brown was the first on the phone to offer commiserations and the relationship was cosy until the Sun stopped backing Labour. BBC's Andrew Neil has also said that Brown had sworn revenge against Murdoch for abandoning Labour telling him 'I will destroy you.' Indeed thanks to Browns intervention starting with the fudged story about his families records and continuing with his Common's rant has been successful in turning attention towards Labour. The expressions on Labour's backbenchers said it all...

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Brooks resigned.

Yes! Finally!

Technically she offered her resignation last week. Now it has been accepted

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Meanwhile back on Planet Earth

ICM

CON 37 (-)
LAB 36 (-3)
LIB 16 (+4)

Which is pretty good news. YouGov at the end of last week saw things remain steady. The crisis, while genuine and certainly talked about seems still to be media confined. Ed's ratings have went up, mostly due to Labour supporters being more enthused. Nick Clegg too seems to be doing rather well and getting some benefit from being the Coalitions mouthpiece for once.

Always look outside the Westminster Bubble; inflation and petrol prices will move public opinion more than the hacking scandal.

However, this is now becoming a police[i/] crisis. If Cameron is seen as unable to deal with the police he will take a hit. If he comes across exceptionally well (and Clegg and May have been leading on this) he may take a boost meaning that Ed's grandstanding will, in the short term have been for very little.

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Cameron holding his own today and Miliband continuing to overplay his hand.

I wonder if Labour will now reveal the full details of their extensive relationship with Murdoch when they were in power during (sigh) 'Hackgate'

Ultimately, David Cameron has taken responsibility. From Labour; nothing. Some Labour MP's have tried to say that they were too 'scared' or 'intimidated' by News International to do anything about the allegations (or to stop being their friends...) which comes across as not only blatantly false, but if it has a mere smidgeon of truth to it then it confirms a weakness at the heart of the Labour project. David Cameron hired Coulson, but Coulson is no longer employed by Number 10. whilst Miliband still employs two ex-News International journalists in an advisory capacity.

There is no genuine and legitimate concern from Labour on this matter. Cameron has calmly responded to, at times quite pointless questioning demonstrating that Labour's only interest in phone hacking was for political gain.

This leaves Labour exposed. Cameron may be accused of not answering 'everything.' But Labour have answered nothing. The enquiries will not leave the period from 1997-2010 untouched. They had better be ready.

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that sounds like an attempt at guilt by association. Of course, it probably isn't - I know you're better than that.

Actually, the very opposite concerns me. I don't believe in guilt by association...but Baldwin has been accused and was reported to the police over 'blagging'. That is the concern.