London Police Reopen News of the World Phone Hacking Case

Scotland Yard is reopening its investigation of News of the World's phone hacking of prominent persons, four years after the case seemed to have been closed and NOTW's royal editor Clive Goodman received a four month sentence for intercepting some Clarence House phone messages. The story seemed over, but in 2009, the Guardian began reporting that others besides Mr. Goodman had eavesdropped and that the police had evidence. Stories alleging the bad behavior continued to surface; just this week, Kelly Hoppen, a well known decorator and the stepmother of actress Sienna Miller, filed a suit against NOTW. Whispers grew about former NOTW editor Andy Coulson, who had taken a position with the government. He resigned last week. Roger Graef of the Guardian suggests that the initial police investigation may have been soft-pedaled for the usual reasons. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch, owner of News of the World, tries to deal both with the phone hacking mess, and with a proposed repurchase of BSkyB (British Sky Broadcasting), which Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, may oppose.