Calls to reopen Commons phone-hacking inquiry
Updated on 04 September 2010
A senior Labour MP tells Channel 4 News there is now enough evidence to re-open the Commons Select committee inquiry into allegations of phone-hacking by journalists at the News of the World.
The shadow education secretary Ed Balls also called today for a government statement about the allegations that a number of senior public figures had had their voicemail messages intercepted, amid claims that Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson was aware the illegal practice was going on while he was the newspaper's editor.
Downing Street has moved to support the paper's former editor Andy Coulson, now head of communications at number 10. Mr Coulson has denied allegations that he was aware of the phone hacking at the time.
Paul Farrelly, who sat on the culture, media and sport select committee of senior backbench MPs, which examined the phone-hacking allegations, said it was simply not true that no stone had been left unturned in the police investigation.
"I think the extra evidence that has been uncovered by the New York Times, including the willingness of certain people to come forward and say yes, we did this, but we did this under orders [means] it really is time now for the police to reopen their files and investigate properly," he told Channel 4 News.
The Metropolitan Police, which closed its investigations last year, said: "The clear view, subsequently endorsed by the Director of Public Prosecutions with leading counsel's advice, was that there was no new evidence and consequently the investigation remains closed."
Labour leadership candidate Mr Balls also weighed into the row. "I think it's for David Cameron to decide who he employs as his communication chief, but when there are new allegations not only that MPs were illegally phone tapped but that Mr Coulson knew about that and has misled parliament, it's got to be investigated," he said.
"I think there are questions now as to whether the investigations in the past have been thorough enough and in the interests of our parliament, our democracy and the integrity of the David Cameron government this should be investigated fast. If not, I think there will be real questions about David Cameron's judgement."
International development minister Alan Duncan told Channel 4 News there was nothing new to investigate, and accused the Labour party of "jumping on the bandwagon" of the New York Times claims.
Former ministers John Prescott, Tessa Jowell and Alan Johnson have all been told their messages were hacked - 28 times in Tessa Jowell's case.
Yesterday the former home secretary Mr Johnson said there may be a case for a new inquiry into phone-hacking by journalists at the News of the World.
Mr Johnson said he would be reviewing papers on the original Metropolitan police investigation from his time as Home Secretary, and believed there "may now be a case" for an investigation by the HM Inspector of Constabulary.
Earlier this week, the New York Times raised a series of new allegations about the interception of private voice mail messages of high profile figures by reporters at the newspaper. The News of the World and Downing Street both denied the claims.
