Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A former dominatrix was targeted by the News of the World's phone hacker Glenn Mulcaire in a tabloid scramble to publish a picture of her posing with George Osborne in front of an alleged line of cocaine, i can reveal. Natalie Rowe, 47, who ran an agency supplying prostitutes, has been shown documents by Scotland Yard detectives showing that the hacker obtained her mobile number and information about at least one of Mr Osborne's friends, as newspapers investigated claims of drug use at the height of David Cameron's Conservative leadership bid in 2005.
The redacted document raises the possibility that the mobile phone of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was managing Mr Cameron's campaign, was also targeted by Glenn Mulcaire and raises fresh questions about Mr Osborne's relationship with Andy Coulson. Mr Coulson was editor of the NOTW when its story about Mr Osborne's friendship with Ms Rowe was published in October 2005.
Two years later, Mr Osborne played a key role in the decision to recruit Mr Coulson as Mr Cameron's spin doctor following his resignation over the hacking scandal. Ms Rowe's lawyer, Mark Lewis, is preparing a damages claim against News International after it became clear that she was targeted by Mr Mulcaire when she was cooperating with the NOTW's rival, the Sunday Mirror. Mr Osborne has confirmed he knew Ms Rowe in the 1990s but has always denied that he took cocaine with her.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments