Monday, July 11, 2011

Murdoch Newspapers Targeted Gordon Brown

This story has become a monstrosity. Folks praised Murdoch's closing of News of the World last week, but that's likely only the whet appetites.

At The Scotsman, "Hacking updates: 'Gordon Brown was targeted over 10 year period'":

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he will refer the proposed takeover of BSkyB by News Corporation to the Competition Commission.

The announcement came less than an hour after News Corp said it was "withdrawing proposed undertakings in lieu of reference to the Competition Commission" - meaning it would no longer spin-off Sky News to secure the deal.

It will delay the bid by at least 6 months.
Gordon Brown is the latest figure to have been targeted by News International publications, according to reports, with allegations that they obtained medical records of his son and tried to access his voicemail.

Brown was targeted over a period of more than 10 years, during which a "blagger" tried to obtain details from his bank account, his lawyers were tricked into handing over information and his son's medical records were obtained by a newspaper, according to the Guardian.

Prince Charles and Camilla may have also had their mobile phones hacked by private investigators, police have warned.

The heir to the throne and his wife are among 10 members of the royal family to be warned they may have been targeted.

Earlier, Nick Clegg has called on Rupert Murdoch to "do the decent thing" and reconsider the bid in the wake of the phone hacking scandal that his engulfed the British arm of his media empire.

The Deputy Prime Minister said: "Do the decent and sensible thing, and reconsider, think again, about your bid for BSkyB."
More at WaPo, "Tabloid intrigue spreads: Queen and Brown reportedly targeted as police complain of sabotage."

Also at Telegraph UK, "News International journalists 'hacked medical records of Gordon Brown's family." Scroll down at Telegraph for additional links, and see Mediagazer, especially AdAge, "Life After Rupert's Reign: What Will Happen in a Post-Murdoch World?"

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