Rebekah Brooks charged :)

[NicholasTeakozy]

Short version here I'll have a dig for more details. Oh happy day! :o

gosh- that site is very... SHOUTY isn't it?

I am still reeling from the revelation that Coulson had easy access to top secret security/intelligence info when working for Dave even though he did not have the relevant security clearance. You could not make this stuff up.

An interesting case to follow

I am also astonished that they are still trying to excuse the fact that Andy Couslon was only SC cleared when all other press secretaries were DV. How can they justify that? SC is no clearance at all, it is just confirmation of where you have lived for x amount of years, and where you have worked. I am DV cleared in my lowly job, I wouldn't have thought that any senior advisor of Coulson's level of influence would have been exempt.

Nancy66

very interesting news on Coulson

I agree she looked vaguely amused at the enquiry. The fact that she originally "declined" their request to appear is pretty telling of her "above the law" attitude.

I believe conspiracy to prevert the course of justice is worse than just perverting the course of justice.

I think all talk of sentencing is premature as she's not yet appeared in court, let alone been found guilty of these crimes. Also, we have yet to see or hear any evidence she and her fellow defendants might put forward.

I would think they must be pretty confident of the evidence amassed and its ability to secure a conviction.

@Get0rfMoiLand

Can we talk freely about this subject Olivia - would you be able to clarify?

Hi Get0rf - usual rules apply - we'll delete anything that breaks our Talk Guidelines which includes posts that might be defamatory/break the law as and when they are brought to our attention. If whole threads become unmanageable because they are full of potentially defamatory/illegal stuff then we'll have to stop discussion altogether which would be a shame, so please all do show a bit of discretion.
Thanks

I agree in feeling empathy for her secretary, driver and security chap. I have worked for bosses who have asked me to do unscrupulous things and it is very, very hard to say no.

Unfortunately "charged" doesn't mean "convicted", but it's still a step in the right direction.

Agree with the secretary and other staff being embroiled in all this stuff.

Thanks for clarification Justine.

what was that catty remark she made about Gordon and Sarah Brown 'hanging out the bunting'

Well if they weren't then you can bet they sure as hell are now!

just seen that leveson has an announcement set for 2pm on proceedings and the day's updates, so i wonder what that may mean for this merry band of ne'er-do-wells...

I'm surprised (but probably less surprised than Ms Brooks) that she has been charged. I do wonder if further charges will be brought and what may bring this whole house of cards down.

Also, if Brooks et al have been charged, what of James Murdoch and Murdoch snr - are they also being investigated for similar activities?

On Leveson, perhaps someone can explain if Brooks could be charged with perjury or similar if she is found to have lied to the inquiry? they are sworn in under oath after all. She also appeared before the Select Committee and stated she had no knowledge of hacking and did not cover it up. That again was under oath and I'm sure there was something there about lying to a committee hearing too, if she is convicted... would they bring further charges post one conviction, or bring them all into one hearing.

This could get so unbelievable legally complex... it makes your head spin!

Yes, I think a parliamentary committee or enquiry hokd the same standards as a court, so lying to a committee would engender the same sanction as lying in court.

She has said the charges are 'weak' and 'unjust'. Well, we shall find out once this gets to court.

Also, I wonder how weel, or badly, Cameron is left looking.

Well that's brought a smile to my face! Now, how to get scameron and murdoch?

The potential problem with this thread is not that it's defamatory but that it's sub judice. Still, if Mumsnet is happy, I'm happy.

I'd also wondered, Nancy66, about the timing of that surrogate baby - glad to see it's not just me who's that cynical!

But I have to say I'm pleased that she's been charged. Apart from the fact that it will make great entertainment, it makes Cameron's position increasingly vulnerable.

I think Cameron will just rise above it.

Even if Brookes and Coulson are charged and convicted, legally what could happen to Cameron. Yes it will be very embarrassing and it will reflect very badly on his judgement, but he is unlikely to resign isn't he? Ans surely he can't be forced out.

I didn't think she would be charged. Above the law and all that. I too feel sorry for her underlings getting caught up in all this. I too was suspicious about the timing of the surrogate baby. I'm pleased she has been charged and hope the law will take its course. Apparently, she has made a statement saying it was a weak decision. ?????

No you were not cynical about the timing of the baby, I thought the very same thing as soon as it's birth was announced.

According to someone on BBC News the Conspiring part of the charge makes it more serious as it suggests that it's premeditated. He said that the maximum sentence is life although no one has ever got life before. It can only be tried in a Crown court.

Wonder if the will be as vacant and forgetful as she was at the enquiry last week!

another one here cynical about the timing of the baby. Just seen the photo of her going into the police station looking tired, drawn and that magnificent hair is flat as a pancake. Her dopey husband is gurning at the cameras as usual.

Mary SA - yes, the bit about "the unprecedented posturing of the CPS" isn't going to do her any favours. The less said the better if I were her.