Benedict Brogan is among many to have observed, in relation to the growing rancour around Andy Coulson, that there is a big difference between investigative journalism and the hard, on-the-public-record evidence required for a prosecution:
“Nothing we have read or heard since the NYT published its report suggests there is enough new material to justify CPS charges” – Benedict Brogan
The only new eyewitness to have come forward, Sean Hoare, has been dismissed by Conservatives as a sacked NOTW hack with substance abuse problems and an axe to grind. But this picture may have changed this evening with the emergence of Ross Hall, who transcribed phone tapes while Andy Coulson was editor. Hall was unable to testify to a previous select committee inquiry as he was out of the UK.
The Guardian has the story:
Ross Hall, a former employee who until now has been silent, told the Guardian tonight he was willing to talk to Scotland Yard and to the newly-announced home affairs select committee inquiry by MPs: “If asked, I will tell them what I know.” Metropolitan police sources said they planned to interview him.
Hall had been named in a previous MPs’ inquiry as the man who transcribed swaths of hacked voicemail messages for other journalists, including the tabloid’s chief reporter, Neville Thurlbeck.
This could go on for months.
Those who would profit from Coulson’s demise are already taking an interest.
He’s All Right Jack: nonchalant debating style for Straw in final despatch box exchanges
Yesterday’s debate in the House of Commons on the Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill found Jack Straw on fine form. In what was one of his final performances at the despatch box the man presently styled as “Shadow Deputy Prime Minister” has clearly checked out.
While accepting an intervention it was unclear whether he was giving way to Daniel Kawczynski or Edward Leigh. When Leigh asked Straw “Which one?” the Rt. Hon member for Blackburn replied:
“The tall one!”
A few minutes later he accepted Leigh’s intervention by saying:
“I’ll take the shorter one now.”
He subsequently went on to refer to David Davis as the
“Right Honourable member for Haltemprice and … and … the other place”
Jack, you will be missed.