Rupert Murdoch and News Corp received a resounding rebuttal to their objective of achieving complete control of BSkyB today as the debate at Parliament lay bare the unpopularity of the take over attempt.
Ex-PM, Gordon Brown, made further allegations about the activities of News International newspapers, in addition to his recent remarks about blagging, tapping and handling stolen records. How much will become substantiated, but parliamentary privileges means you can say just about anything and not be subject to court actions.
The overriding fact is that full judicial enquiries will take place relating to the relationship between the media/policiticans and police, while an enquiry will take place on the original police investigation.
I think both will enforce witnesses to attend and they will be under oath, so that should prove a bit more robust.
The police didn't come out too smart in the select committee yesterday. Not much, so far, seems to have been made about the police in all of this, as the focus has been on NI, but hopefully their utter incompetence and questionable decision making will be suitably corrected and penalties inflicted on those responsible. Not too many of them seem prepared to step down but a lot of blame is pointed to factors outwith their control (staffing levels and the focus on terrorism) which seems pretty convenient.
Tonight on the BBC, I noticed that senator Frank Lautenberg has requested that an investigation is initiated into News Corp, while lawsuits have been raised (Delaware was the first, I think).
Although News Corp have withdrawn their offer for complete control, they can actually re-apply after 6 months, although they may wait until all investigations and enquiries are complete.
An MP said that yesterday the head of counter terrorism for the police was 99% sure his phone was hacked into. Incredible. Also he indicated that the police misinformed.
This isn't over by a long shot.
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