Publisher defends right to expose 'wrongdoing'

The publisher of the News of the World today defended its journalists and said it would not “shirk from vigorously defending our right and proper role to expose wrongdoing”.

The newspaper is embroiled in allegations that thousands of public figures in the UK had their phones tapped.

MPs including former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell were among the targets of the alleged phone taps, The Guardian said. Mayor of London Boris Johnson and celebrities including actress Gwyneth Paltrow and celebrity chef Nigella Lawson were also victims, according to the paper.

The Guardian said Andy Coulson, Tory leader David Cameron’s director of communications, was deputy editor and then editor of the News of the World when journalists were using the private investigators.

In a statement News International said it was prevented by “confidentiality obligations from discussing certain allegations made in the Guardian newspaper today”.

But the statement stressed its staff have been told clearly that they must operate within the law and the industry’s code of conduct.

In 2007, News of the World journalist Clive Goodman and private investigator Glen Mulcaire were jailed for phone tapping.

Following their conviction, the tabloid’s new editor Colin Myler wrote to all staff saying they must operate within the law, abide by the industry code of conduct, behave professionally and have regular legal training.

The following month Les Hinton, then executive chairman of News International, testified to a committee of MPs that Mr Goodman had been acting alone.

The statement added: “Since February 2007, News International has continued to work with its journalists and its industry partners to ensure that its journalists fully comply with both the relevant legislation and the rigorous requirements of the PCC’s Code of Conduct.

“At the same time, we will not shirk from vigorously defending our right and proper role to expose wrongdoing in the public interest.”

The Information Commissioner identified 31 newspapers and magazines said to have used private investigators in 2006, the company said, and reaffirmed their right to expose confidential information in the public interest.

News International publishes The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, News of the World and thelondonpaper.