CPS News Brief

Statement from DPP Keir Starmer QC and ADC John Yates on phone hacking

Joint statement from Metropolitan Police Service Acting Deputy Commissioner John Yates and Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC:

"There has been a significant amount of interest in recent weeks among the media over understanding of the complex law in respect of phone hacking, particularly in relation to the prosecutions of Goodman and Mulcaire. We have both written to, and appeared before, the relevant Parliamentary Select Committees providing detailed evidence on this matter to give an account of our best understanding of what took place five years ago.

"Neither of us had responsibility for this case at the time it was originally prosecuted. We have, therefore, both sought to interpret, as best we can, the original documentation and the recollections of those involved. The relevant information is now in the public domain.

"We, and others in our organisations, would now like to focus together on the current investigation, in the same way that we work closely and constructively on a daily basis on numerous other cases and complex issues."

DPP statement on phone hacking - Monday 24 January

Keir Starmer QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said:

“It has been agreed following a meeting this morning with Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin and Acting Deputy Commissioner John Yates, that any evidence resulting from recent or new substantive allegations made to the Metropolitan Police Service of mobile voicemail interception arising from the Goodman and Mulcaire case should be subject to the same rigorous assessment as Alison Levitt QC is applying to material already in the possession of the Metropolitan Police Service.

“I have asked Alison Levitt QC (who has had no previous involvement in the case) to take a robust approach with a view to advising whether the Metropolitan Police Service should carry out any further investigation or deciding whether any prosecutions can be brought.

“This builds upon the previous request by the MPS to the CPS to assess all the material relevant to phone hacking.”

DPP announcement on phone hacking - Friday 14 January

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has today agreed that the Crown Prosecution Service will conduct a comprehensive assessment of all material in the possession of the Metropolitan Police Service relating to phone hacking, following developments in the civil courts.

The exercise will involve an examination of all material considered as part of the original investigation into Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire and any material that has subsequently come to light. The assessment will be carried out by the Principal Legal Advisor, Alison Levitt QC.

The purpose of this assessment is to ascertain whether there is any material which could now form evidence in any future criminal prosecution relating to phone hacking.

Phone hacking allegations: Statement from Director of Public Prosecutions

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, said today:

“In September 2010 the New York Times published allegations that phone hacking at the News of the World newspaper was more widespread and more widely known than was outlined at the 2007 prosecution of Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire.

“This prompted a number of associated reports and wide media coverage and speculation.

“The police have investigated these allegations and, on 12 November 2010, requested advice from the Crown Prosecution Service about the prospects of bringing criminal charges against anyone for offences relating to the interception of communications.

“Sean Hoare, who made significant allegations in the New York Times and elsewhere, was interviewed by the police but refused to comment. A number of other witnesses were interviewed and either refused to cooperate with the police investigation, provided short statements which did not advance matters, or denied any knowledge of wrongdoing.

“Against that background, there is no admissible evidence upon which the CPS could properly advise the police to bring criminal charges. The contents of the reports in the New York Times and the associated reports and coverage are not enough for criminal proceedings unless those making allegations are prepared to provide the police with admissible evidence to support their assertions. None have been prepared to do so.

“It is possible that further allegations will be made and the CPS remains willing to consider any evidence submitted to us by the police. To facilitate this, the CPS and the Metropolitan Police Service intend to convene a panel of police officers and prosecutors to assess those allegations with a view to determining whether or not investigations should take place.

“I have made it clear that a robust attitude needs to be taken to any unauthorised interception. But a criminal prosecution can only take place if those making allegations of wrongdoing are prepared to cooperate with a criminal investigation and to provide admissible evidence of the wrongdoing they allege.”