pin:231B0D40»» Phone-hacking: trial of Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks to begin: Former NI boss and David Camerons ex-communications chief Andy Coulson face jury in trial expected to last until Easter The trial of former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and others linked with alleged phone-hacking at the now-defunct News of the World will begin on Monday at the Old Bailey, kicking off what is likely to be one of the longest criminal trials in recent memory. Brooks and seven other defendants including her racehorse trainer husband, Charlie, and David Camerons former director of communications Andy Coulson will face a jury for the first time in the case, which has been scheduled to last until next Easter. It was originally estimated to last four months but with at least 100 witnesses to be called, barristers have said they will need the extra time to make their respective cases. All eight have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are fighting to prove their innocence in a trial that will attract worldwide attention and be particularly high profile in the UK, US and Australia, the main bases for Rupert Murdochs global publishing operations. It is the first of four trials involving newspaper journalists and others linked to the News of the World or the Sun following the Metropolitan polices Operation Weeting investigation into allegations of phone-hacking at the Sunday tabloid and two other Scotland Yard investigations instigated following the papers closure in July 2011. Other defendants are Stuart Kuttner, a former managing editor of News of the World, Ian Edmondson, a former head of news, Cheryl Carter, Rebekah Brookss former secretary, Mark Hanna, head of security for News International, and Clive Goodman, a former New of the World royal correspondent. Brooks, 45, who resigned from News International in July 2011, faces five charges spanning over a decade including one in relation to allegations of conspiracy to hack phones. She has denied that charge, two further allegations that she conspired with others to commit misconduct in public office and two charges that she conspired with others to pervert the course of justice. Coulson, 45, who quit Downing Street in January 2011, faces three charges in relation to his time as editor of the News of the World. He has denied two charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, and allegations linked to a phone-hacking conspiracy on the paper. Brookss husband has pleaded not guilty to one charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, as have Carter and Hanna. With eight defendants being tried, the Old Bailey has had to make special arrangements to accommodate all those entitled to have access to court 12, where the hearings will take place. About 25 barristers will be present, representing the crown and the defence, with at least one solicitor for each defendant. The police will also have representation as will journalists, 17 of whom will be in the courtroom with a further 53 watching proceedings from an overspill room which will have live streamed video. TV and newspaper interest has been registered from as far afield as Australia, the Middle East, Norway and the US, posing a challenge for the UK judicial system, which, unlike the US, bans any comment on active trials until the verdict has been delivered. Mr Justice Saunders, who is presiding over the case, and the attorney general have already issued warnings to the media reminding them not to stray from the strict Contempt of Court Act reporting rules in the UK, which require fair and accurate reporting of trials as they happen. There are particular concerns that MPs will comment on the trial because of Coulsons former role in Downing Street. Solicitor general Oliver Heald has written to the three main parties and the speakers of the Commons, calling on them to refrain from any comment. A spokeswoman confirmed: The solicitor general, in his role as independent guardian of the public interest, wrote to the leaders of each of the main Westminster parties advising them that this trial was due to start shortly. In his letter the solicitor asked for their assistance in ensuring that party members and officials refrained from any commentary which may be perceived as prejudicial to the case and those involved. Each party leader was advised that their counterparts had also been written to and both speakers were advised of the steps taken. Twitter and other social media are an ongoing concern for all sides involved in trying to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. Over the past year several high-profile individuals in the UK have been asked to delete tweets commenting on Rebekah Brooks following complaints from her legal team and to the attorney general. At least one US publication acceded to her lawyers requests to block access for users in the UK to an article speculating about the trial. At the time, the publisher, which cannot be named for legal reasons, said in a statement: We are an American publication serving an American audience, and the additional potential liabilities posed by publication of the item in England outweighed the benefits of serving it to an audience that we dont normally aim for to begin with. The case has taken almost a year to come to trial and will also be a landmark for the nine legal teams involved in defence and prosecution. Leading the prosecution team is Andrew Edis QC, who also acted for the crown in the successful prosecution in the speeding points case involving Chris Huhne and his former wife Vicky Pryce. Leading for Rebekah Brooks is Jonathan Laidlaw QC, a former crown prosecutor who last year led the Football Associations case against John Terry. Timothy Langdale QC, who has specialised in fraud, general crime and regulatory matters, is leading for Coulson.Lisa OCarroll theguardian © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds @OfficialMGN @officialMGN
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 12:59:35 +0000
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