James Murdoch’s troubles have just got a whole lot bigger as two former employees drop him in hotwater and the McCann Circus wants on Levenson inquiry

Dear All

It seems that things are becoming a bit sticky for James Murdoch with two former News International executives claiming he knew about an email which proved that phone hacking was more widespread.

Having previously given evidence to the parliamentary select committee, it is another bad day for him.

So, who are the two former exes?

They are former editor Colin Myler and legal manager Tom Crone, key major players within the organisation, not outsiders, but core members.

Myler and Crone claim that he was shown the document in a 15-minute meeting between the trio in 2008.

He says otherwise.

To add to his considerable troubles, which they are many, the parents of Madeleine McCann applied to take part in the inquiry into the scandal regarding malpractice within the media.

At this point, I am not sure if there is any evidence that either of the McCann’s had their phones hacked by the News of the World or anyone connected to them.

So, Glasgow University product Gerry McCann and his wife Kate said they want to take part in Lord Justice Levenson’s inquiry.

Should they be allowed to if there is no evidence of them being hacked?

The simple answer is no.

The Levenson’s inquiry must not be allowed to be hijacked by outside interests in anyway shape or form.

This is an inquiry in which evidence must form the bedrock of deliberations, if the McCann’s are allowed to take part, we could see a situation emerge where it is diverted from its true purpose.

Former Formula 1 boss Max Mosley and Chris Jefferies, the ex-landlord of Bristol murder victim Jo Yeates are said to be “core participants” in the inquiry which will examine the relationship between the press and the public, police and politicians.

One thing that McCann’s have demonstrated is that they have an unwillingness to answer questions.

If the Portuguese Police can’t persuade them to talk over the disappearance of their daughter, do we really want to hear how the media are ‘so terrible’ by them when for four years they have use the very same media to their own ends?

Their carry on, should disqualified from the Levenson’s inquiry, they pro actively sought and encouraged the use of the media.

I remember Gerry McCann from my time at Glasgow University and I would have no problem telling him, ‘request denied’!

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University