Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
`Flashman` met all NI chiefs 26 times since being in office! They have all been at `Chequers`.Rebekah twice J.Murdoch eight months ago.Most senior Cabinet have not been to `Chequers`! All visits during period Government were making the `huge error of judgement`decision on BSkyB !!! Log of their telephone calls is being sort and expect to to be potentially more revealing.After `Chequers`he was invited to a series of parties ( period Vince Cable was removed of his BSkyB responsibilties ) Questions re Tory media policy and Murdoch commercial agenda to be raised.`Flashman` quotes and relies on Stevenson Met chief who hired Wallis deputy editor NOW at £1000 per day as Public Relations Consultant.Boris has sent letter to Justice Leverson to warn/point out Wallis had 11 month contract !!! Teresa May states she is as surprised as everyone !!!!!!!
Any one want to try to convince me `Flashman` did not know `Chapter and Verse`!!!!!! ??
Knowing America the British effort to get to the bottom of this could end up a sideshow.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
it gets ever murkier, this from the mail on sunday.
it was the highlight of the summer season for the Chipping Norton Set.
Rupert Murdoch's daughter Elisabeth and her PR tycoon husband Matthew Freud threw a party of decadent opulence and excess that saw the political and media elite flock to their 22-bedroom Cotswolds mansion Burford Priory yet again.
Just 24 hours later, the news broke that murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's mobile had been hacked by Rupert Murdoch's News of the World newspaper and his global empire was plunged into disarray.
Generous hosts: But are Elizabeth Murdoch and husband Matthew Freud's opulent influence coming to an end?
The consequences could be just as far-reaching for the Chipping Norton Set.
The Murdoch-Freuds' marathon all-night party, which started on the evening of July 2 and ended at noon the following day, could turn out to be its last hurrah.
The party guest list paints a telling picture of the powerful web of influence that the couple had spun before the hacking crisis erupted. It reads like a roll call of the modern establishment - with the Murdochs and other News International executives at the hub. the group has been dubbed the Chipping Norton Set because its key members, including Prime Minister David Cameron, all own homes within a few miles of the Oxfordshire town. One prominent member of the set described its allure - and its value to the Murdochs.
'It is like the social wing of the Murdoch media empire. Rupert wields his influence through his newspaper and TV network. Elisabeth and Matthew feed off this by providing a link between the worlds of politics, business and showbusiness. Their wealth means they can provide for them all to meet in complete privacy at Burford. Behind it all is the unspoken assumption that if you are out of favour with Rupert Murdoch, you are not likely to get invited.'
The party, held two weekends ago, reveals the extent of the couple's connections on both sides of the Commons.
As a jazz band played in the landscaped gardens of the £6  million property, Mr Freud, who was wearing leather trousers, greeted guests, including Education Secretary Michael Gove and Culture Minister Ed Vaizey. They drank champagne in the company of former Labour Cabinet Ministers Peter Mandelson, David Miliband, James Purnell and Douglas Alexander.
Steve Hilton, Mr Cameron's shaven-headed policy guru, who was there with his forceful wife, Google communications chief Rachel Whetstone, was seen 'laughing giddily' across the political divide with Lord Mandelson and Mr Miliband.
At the centre of the throng, Elisabeth's brother, James Murdoch, the deputy chief operating officer of News Corp, was locked in conversation with Rebekah Brooks, who resigned on Friday as chief executive of News International.
Invited The BBC's Robert Peston, left, and Lord Mandelson, right, were among guests at Elisabeth Murdoch's Burford Priory at her party two weeks ago
Although the bombshell Milly Dowler phone hacking had not yet become public knowledge, Ms Brooks clearly knew she was in trouble.
One witness said: 'Usually, Rebekah flits around having a word with everyone. She loves being the centre of attention. But that night she spent nearly all her time with News International people.'
Some partygoers say there were clear signs of tension in the Murdoch clan. Shortly before her resignation, Elisabeth Murdoch reportedly erupted in fury at the way Ms Brooks has damaged News International, saying she had ****** the company.
The festivities started at 7pm on the Saturday evening, with the dancing - and drinking - continuing until 4am. Lord Mandelson was particularly 'vigorous', one guest said. Guests could wander into two opulent marquees laid on by entrepreneur Nick Jones, who had created two miniature versions of his London restaurants, Pizza East and Cecconi's.
Mr Jones's fashionable Soho House chain of clubs and restaurants is promoted by his host's PR company, Freud Communications. With Mr Jones was his wife, broadcaster Kirsty Young.
The BBC's director-general Mark Thompson, corporation executive Alan Yentob and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson - another member of the Chipping Norton Set and responsible for introducing Mrs Brooks to her husband, Old Etonian Charlie Brooks - were also present.
Clarkson's wife, Francie, came to the party 'but did not seem to be with Jeremy', according to one guest. The couple's relationship is reported to have been under strain following newspaper claims that Mr Clarkson had an affair with a member of his production staff.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
lots more to come out,
heads to roll
and with this politicians running scared)(included our own mr cameron)
I'v heard boris has packed a suitcase
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Rebekah Brooks has been arrested, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday.
The former News International chief executive went to a London police station by appointment and was arrested on suspicion of corruption and phone hacking.
Brooks is the 10th person to be arrested in connection to the new investigation into allegations of phone hacking at the News of the World.
In a statement, police said: "The MPS has this afternoon, Sunday 17 July, arrested a female in connection with allegations of corruption and phone hacking.
"At approximately 12.00 hrs a 43-year-old woman was arrested by appointment at a London police station by officers from Operation Weeting together with officers from Operation Elveden and is currently in custody.
"She was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications
Courtesy of the Huffington Post.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i bet that a lot of senior policepersons are getting very nervous now, she will no doubt have a record of all payments made and to whom.
very unusual for this sort of arrest on a sunday.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Can you wonder why so many are concerned over the freedom of the press,
abused locally and nationally
but it used to sell papers i suppose
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 708- Registered: 22 Dec 2010
- Posts: 102
The Metropolitan Police Commisioner Sir Paul Stephenson has now resigned from his post due to the phone hacking scandal. How many more top people will be going.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
bit of a double edged sword, responsible journalists are concerned that they will be used as whipping boys and be unable to bring us great exposes gathered legally.
would we have known about the pakistani cricket scandal or the profumo affair without the late "news of the world".
rather more seriously john pilger for the mirror brought us many great scoops, the best being the "killing fields of cambodia" and the antics of the rather unpleasant "pol pot".
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
it is a difficult one howard
but with it comes responsibility, and many have fallen far short
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
A bit ironic that a newspaper famed for exposing scandals has been sunk by its own scandal. What goes around comes around.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
The 'scoops' Howard mentions were important and possibly justified. A lot of the hacking that is being uncovered now was just for the salacious gossip columns and have no justification.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
thats the real problem jan
with being a reporter comes responsibiliy
many reporters are ok
but those that abuse there position make it easier for those wanting to take the press freedom away and regulate the press(not a good move)
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
Surely the time has come for Cameron to stop hiding and face up to this crisis, no doubt from Sir Paul Stephenson's comments yesterday he cannot dodge the bullet for much longer.
Audere est facere.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
dave will return to the u.k. on wednesday, best not to rush back.
sir paul stephenson considers his integrity intact despite having a lengthy stay at a health spa paid for by news international.
couldn't make it up.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Howard
I do't think his stay was paid for by News Interational but a Director of the Spa was once a MPS Media spokesman. He has also recently been arrested for his 'alleged' role in the ongoing hacking saga whilst serving as a Deputy Editor on the NOTW.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
thanks for the clarification marek, here is a piece from the telegraph this morning, interesting bit from iain dale.
The resignation of Sir Paul Stephenson, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, is a shocking blow to David Cameron's credibility as Prime Minister. There's a sense now of a tidal wave of scandal surrounding the entire British establishment. The flood waters are slowly rising and it doesn't seem there's a damn thing anyone can do about it. Here's blogger Ian Dale putting into words what many people are thinking:
I can't believe I am even writing this, but it is no longer an impossibility to imagine this scandal bringing down the Prime Minister or even the government. OK, some of you reading this may think that last sentence is a deranged ranting, and you may be right. Indeed, I hope you are. But Sir Paul Stephenson launched a thinly veiled attack on David Cameron in his resignation statement and the Prime Minister is already on the ropes about the propriety of his relationship with Andy Coulson.
James Forsyth of the Spectator, meanwhile, notes that Stephenson has "kicked Cameron on the way out", and that Yvette Cooper is already doing the rounds of television studios making effective use of this detail.
One of Dave's perceived strengths as a politician - his calmness in a crisis, his refusal to be put off his stride by the sniping of malevolent critics (as he sees them) - now doesn't look quite so useful. It looks instead like the arrogance of a man who will spend Christmas with whomever he bloody well likes, thanks.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
another top cop goes and we are treated to the embarrassing sight of the mayor of london making a total fool of himself at a press conference.
according to him it was all codswallop the whole issue had been a plot by the reds.
seems to think that he is blameless regardless that he is responsible for the metropolitan police.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
The real crisis is economic not this 3 ring circus of a media show
All major UK and european banks have taken a caning on the markets today following analysts slating the ECB stress test results and the belief that Italy is less than 2 weeks or so away from defaulting on its debt.
The NOTW issues and associated resignations of coppers the government had little or no respect for is designed to take your eyes off the real crisis
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
now we wait for the next top cop to resign at the moment he refuses to do so
but according to todays tory standard it would be impossible for him to stay
with the olympics just around the corner and the chiefs of police all falling security is becoming a real issue.
cameron looks to be a dead duck being ripped apart by his own back benchers
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Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Keef
As much as I despise the Demolation Govt the last thing we need now is a leadership battle or a general election.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)