Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Phone hacking: No further action after Crown Prosecution Service finds 'insufficient evidence' for conviction

Operations Weeting and Golding investigated alleged wrongdoing at News Group and Mirror Group 

Rose Troup Buchanan
Friday 11 December 2015 06:31 EST
Comments
Piers Morgan
Piers Morgan (Ramin Talaie/Getty Images)

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.

No further action will be taken over the phone hacking investigations after the Crown Prosecution Service said there was “insufficient evidence” for a conviction.

The CPS has been involved in operations investigating alleged corporate liability at News Group and against 10 individuals at Mirror group.

Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction" in relation to either operation.

Operations Weeting and Golding investigated alleged wrongdoing at News Group, the umbrella organisation that owned the now defunct News of the World, and Mirror Group, owner of the Daily Mirror.

Piers Morgan, former editor of the Daily Mirror, who was interviewed under caution twice, wrote on Twitter: “I've today been informed by CPS that no further action will be taken against me re Met Police phone hacking investigation.”

"There has been considerable public concern about phone hacking and invasion of privacy,” Ms Saunders said.

"Over the past three years, we have brought 12 prosecutions and secured nine convictions for these serious offences. These decisions bring the CPS's involvement in current investigations into phone hacking to a close."

Additional reporting by Press Association

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in