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Letter claims phone hacking was widely discussed in newspaper conferences


A News of the World (NotW) journalist jailed for his involvement in phone hacking said that the practice was "widely discussed" at editorial meetings, according to a letter published by a Parliamentary committee.

Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed for hacking into the phones of royal staff in 2007 following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Goodman, former royal correspondent at the NotW, made the comments in a letter written to the human resources director at News International, the company that owned the now defunct paper, according to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee publication.

"[Phone hacking] was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by the Editor," Goodman said, according to the Parliament-published letter (46-page / 1.5MB PDF).

"Tom Crone [legal manager] and the Editor promised on many occasions that I could come back to a job at the newspaper if I did not implicate the paper or any of its staff in my mitigation plea. I did not, and I expect the paper to honour its promise to me," Goodman said, according to the letter.

News International said it recognised "the seriousness of materials disclosed to the police and Parliament and are committed to working in a constructive and open way with all the relevant authorities,” according to a report by the Financial Times.

The hacking of phones is a crime under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).

Under RIPA both the hacker of a mobile phone and those who commissioned the hacking would face the risk of prosecution. The law does not give the accused the right to claim the hacking activity was conducted in the public interest.

Only law enforcement agencies and telecoms companies can lawfully intercept communications in some circumstances.

Telecoms firms are allowed to unintentionally intercept communications in line with RIPA if the interception "takes place for purposes connected with the provision or operation of that service or with the enforcement, in relation to that service, of any enactment relating to the use of postal services or telecommunications services."

Law enforcement agencies can also force telecoms companies to hand over customers' details in order to tap phone, internet or email communications to protect the UK's national security interests, prevent and detect terrorism and serious crime or to safeguard the UK's economic well-being.

The NotW was closed in July following political and public outcry at alleged phone hacking activities at the paper. Private investigators are alleged to have hacked into the phones of thousands of people connected with prominent news stories and listened to their voicemails. Alleged victims include murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and the families of victims of the London terrorist bombings.

Senior executives that worked at the paper when the alleged hacking was said to have taken place have insisted that they did not know about phone hacking activities and claim the practice was not widespread.

Labour MP Tom Watson said the letter was the "most devastating piece of evidence so far" against News International, according to the Financial Times' report.

“If this letter is accurate, the whole foundation of the company’s defence collapses,” Watson said, according to the report.

The Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation into phone hacking at the paper. Prime Minister David Cameron also announced last month that there would be a full public inquiry into phone hacking and an independent inquiry into press regulation.

News Corporation, which owns News International, dropped its takeover bid for full control of the UK's biggest broadcaster BSkyB amidst the scandal. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, is currently investigating whether News Corporation is a 'fit and proper' owner of its existing 39.1% stake in the broadcaster.

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