A pivotal part of the New York Times investigation concerns the relationship between the Met and News International. The role of Coulson is secondary to this yet this aspect has been rarely mentioned by the media - particularly the BBC.
"Scotland Yard also had a symbiotic relationship with News of the World. The police sometimes built high-profile cases out of the paper's exclusives, and News of the World reciprocated with fawning stories of arrests.
Within days of the raids, several senior detectives said they began feeling internal pressure. One senior investigator said he was approached by Chris Webb, from the department's press office, who was "waving his arms up in the air, saying, 'Wait a minute -- let's talk about this.' " The investigator, who has since left Scotland Yard, added that Webb stressed the department's "long-term relationship with News International." NY Times 5/9/2010
The role of Andy Hayman in limiting the initial investigation to one reporter and one private detective is important too. There was a lot of evidence to suggest that the practice of phone-tapping was widespread (and not just at the News of the World). As the chief investigating officer he would have the power to keep matters under wraps.
The Guardian reports today, "Hayman stressed that although he oversaw the investigation, another officer was in day-to-day charge. He also denied there was anything improper in his taking work writing for News International newspapers immediately after retiring from the force."
No, Mr Hayman, there was nothing 'improper' but it stinks to high heaven.
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