Whistleblower at heart of scandal found dead

THE whistleblower News of the World reporter who alleged Andy Coulson “encouraged” him to hack phones has been found dead.

Sean Hoare, who made claims in a New York Times article about the Prime Minister’s former communications chief, was discovered at his home in Watford, Hertfordshire, after concerns were raised about his whereabouts.

The death is being treated as “unexplained, but not thought to be suspicious”, Hertfordshire police said.