Did the Police shield the News of the World in original investigation?

[Gromit]

2006 MET POLICE INQUIRY INTO NotW PHONE HACKING
The Police investigation under Andy Hayman* concluded that a small number of people had been targeted by a rogue NotW journalist.

// our inquiries showed that they only used the tactic against a far smaller number of individuals. //
- Utterly Wrong.

// It is important to recognise that our enquiries showed that in the vast majority of cases there was insufficient evidence to show that tapping had actually been achieved. //
- Utterly Wrong.

Where there was clear evidence that people had been the subject of tapping, they were all contacted by the police. //
- Utterly untrue.

2009 REVIEW OF THE POLICE INQUIRY BY AC JOHN YATES
// No additional evidence has come to light since this case has concluded. //
- Utterly Wrong.

// I therefore need to ensure that we have been diligent, reasonable and sensible, and taken all proper steps to ensure that where we have evidence that people have been the subject of any form of phone tapping, or that there is any suspicion that they might have been, that they have been informed. //
- utterly Wrong again.

http://cms.met.police...nt_from_ac_john_yates

TODAY
// New allegations have emerged of payments to the police as the row around the News of the World escalates.

The paper's owners have passed to the police e-mails which appear to show that payments were authorised by the then editor, Andy Coulson. //

* Since he retired from the Met Police in 2007, Andy Hayman has been employed by... Rupert Murdoch.

Can the original botched Police investigation be put down to incompetence? Or a more sinister Cover-up?

[emmie]

This will surely come out, only a matter of time now. Phone hacking celebs is bad enough, but the others victims in this parents of Milly Dowler, Holly Wells, Jessica Chapman, you couldn't sink any lower or maybe they could. Police don't always behave as we expect, honourably, and this will blow up into much bigger than just the NOTW

[jno]

there was something on the news last night about the NoW admitting they'd paid police for information (a major source of scoops over the years, and a breach of confidentiality) though I can't find a link and can't remember the exact words.

This points to a long-standing mutual dependence between police and journalists. Yes, I think this is sinister.

[Gromit]

jno

Here it is (I quoted it above)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14039915

[jno]

ah, thanks, Gromit.

Serious matter.

[jackthehat]

The Met enjoys a reputation for being the least trustworthy (in every conceivable manner) Police Service in the UK..........not least amongst other Police Services.

[Davethedog]

There was a reason why they were paying, and not contesting before.

This is hugly weathly company paying out to all and sundry to try and keep it quiet. Now think back at how many stories that you have sat and thought how did they find that? This is going to get far worse.

Also how or why did the government hire Andy Coulsen when he had association wirth the prior scandal?

[jno]

not just the Met involved, though, jack; your village bobby was probably on the take, phoning up the Sun every time you were drunk in charge.

[jackthehat]

He'd never have been off the 'phone, jno!!! :o)

I'm not saying that *all* Police Services will be innocent of this sort of thing, however, the Met are usually top of any given List of Dishonour.

[jno]

I'm really hoping (rather than expecting) that this one gets dragged out into the open, preferably with a full list of the bobbies on the NoW paysheets.

[Canary42]

Murky Murdoch will get away with it - the Government has just approved his takeover of Sky, so they will protect him in order that he can propagate their propaganda to as many as possible. And we all know of the relationship between Coulson and Cameron.

[Canary42]

* BSkyB