Murdoch Is Served (32)

For a “non story”, Phonehackgate is doing rather well: today there have been two arrests, both connected to the Screws. Ian Edmondson, sacked recently from his job as the paper’s news editor, and current chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck volunteered their appearance at police stations of their choice earlier today.

The charges, “conspiracy to intercept communications ... and unlawful interception of voicemail messages”, are most definitely relevant to the investigation into the activities of those hired by the Screws to get information, apparently by whatever means, on a variety of Slebs and royals. And, just to underline the seriousness of the matter, both are having their houses searched.

It seems that the police are now taking the affair seriously enough to examine the possibility that further prosecutions may be brought: to many others, that would seem a statement of the blindingly obvious, given the increasing number of those ready to take action against the Met. So these developments in “Operation Weeting” will no doubt receive appropriate coverage in the press.

Predictably, the Guardian, given the paper’s pursuit of the case, has the story. The Independent, too, is covering developments. But what of the rest of the press? Well, things have moved on since the early days of Phonehackgate, and now both the Maily Telegraph and Daily Mail have joined the ranks of those taking the matter seriously.

Although the Desmond press can be excused – they’ll not get round to it until tomorrow, as it’s not a Euro-frightener – that still leaves Rupe and his Troops. But a look at the Super Soaraway Currant Bun shows no trace of the story, with Chris Moyles’ future apparently more important.

So now the Murdoch press, rather than being in a majority in ignoring Phonehackgate, is now in a very small minority. But there are no doubt a few relentlessly clueless members of the right leaning blogosphere to keep Rupe and his Troops company, so that’s all right, then.