Database of Fleet Street deals with investigator may be as damaging as hacking scandal. The full details of the 2003 “Operation Motorman” inquiry into Fleet Street’s widespread use of a private investigator could be published following a request from the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham. In a proactive move that would sideline the current restrictions of [...]
11
Apr 2012
Publication of Motorman files could go ahead
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
19
Nov 2011
Police target former officer who exposed the dirty tricks of the press
November 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Police seize disks in raid on home of key Leveson witness. Police raided the home of a retired Special Branch detective who acted as a whistleblower on the failure of authorities to investigate media dirty tricks, just days before he is to give evidence as a witness to Lord Leveson’s inquiry. Alec Owens, formerly of [...]
12
Jul 2011
Gordon Brown allegations: What is blagging?
July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The practice of “blagging” has been thrust into the spotlight after allegations that a newspaper targeted the personal information of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown when he was Chancellor. Evidence suggests it was used by the Sunday Times to obtain Mr Brown’s private financial and property details. The paper says it “pursued the story in [...]
31
Aug 2009
Operation Motorman: the full story revealed
August 31, 2009 By 1 Comment
As the information commissioner prepares to address Commons investigation into privacy and press standards, one private investigator’s work for news organisations emerges. From his cramped office at the back of his family home on a quiet street on the Hampshire coast, Steve Whittamore was for years the link between news organisations and a network of [...]
