The News of the World phone hacking scandal led to the closure of the newspaper in 2011 after its owner News International admitted to widespread phone hacking by journalists dating back many years. Key figures involved such as private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who performed thousands of hacks, and former editors Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson were charged with conspiracy to intercept voicemails. While Brooks and some others were acquitted, Mulcaire and former royal editor Clive Goodman had previously been jailed in 2007 for phone hacking related to royal directories. The scandal expanded an ongoing investigation into illegal practices at the News of the World.

1. News of the world phone hacking scandal.
The Newsof the Worldwascloseddownin2011 afterits owners,RupertMurdoch'sNews
International,admittedthe scale of hackingthathadbeengoingon,datingbackmany years.The
companyhad battledagainst growingallegationsfortwoyears - one of itsprivate investigatorsand
the Newsof the World's royal editorwere jailedin2007 overa story gleanedfromhacking.
The paper's original position - thatrogue staff had actedalone - couldnot stand.EventuallyRupert
Murdoch decidedhe hadno choice butto close the newspaperdownafteritemergedMillyDowler,
a teenagerwhowasabductedandmurdered,hadhervoicemailshacked.
The Crown ProsecutionService chargedtwoformereditors - RebekahBrooksandhersuccessor
AndyCoulsonwithconspiracytointerceptmobile voicemailsalongside othersconnectedtothe
newspaper.
Alongside RebekahBrooksandAndyCoulsonwasformermanagingeditorStuartKuttner.Five
othershad pleadedguiltytoconspiracytohack phonesbefore the trial began:private investigator
GlennMulcaire,newseditorsJamesWeatherupandGregMiskiw andreportersNevilleThurlbeck
and Dan Evans.Mulcaire performedthousandsof hacksforthe newspaperunderthe instructionof
newseditors.
The newspaper'sformerroyal editorCliveGoodmanwasalsochargedwithillegalpaymentsto
publicofficials - aswas RebekahBrooksandAndyCoulson.Brooks'husbandCharlie Brooks,her
formerpersonal assistantCheryl CarterandNewsInternational'sheadof securityMarkHanna were
accusedof a conspiracyto hide material fromthe police.MrsBrooks,Charlie Brooks,Cheryl Carter,
Mr KuttnerandMr Hanna were clearedof all chargesagainstthem.The jury wasdischargedafter
failingtoreachverdictsoncharges thatAndyCoulsonandGoodmanconspiredtocommit
misconductina publicoffice bypayingpolice officersfortworoyal directories.
GlennMulcaire andClive Goodmanwere jailedsevenyearsagoafterpleadingguiltytointercepting
voicemails - butthatfirsttrial onlyconcerneda small numberof cases.Police didnotgothroughall
the evidence seizedfromMulcaire.TwoyearslateritemergedthatNewsInternational hadagreeda
seriesof confidential out-of-courtsettlementswhichhadpreventedmore allegationsbeingaired.
Private investigatorGlennMulcaire wouldbe "tasked"totargeta particularmobile phone number
to acquire voicemailsandreportbackto the newsdesk.Mulcaire keptdetailednotesof each
operationthathe carriedout, including the targetandwhohad commissionedhim.Atone pointhe
was beingpaid£100,000 a year.
Prosecutorssoughttoprove RebekahBrooksandAndyCoulsonwere partof thisconspiracybecause
theymusthave knownhowstorieswere beingacquiredandwhowasbeingpaid.RebekahBrooks
was acquittedof all charges. Scoresof otherjournalistshave beenarrestedandsome are facingtrial
for allegedillegal paymentstopublicofficials.The police are alsoinvestigatingfurtherallegationsof
hackingat the Newsof the Worldand the rival Mirror group.ScotlandYard has alreadyindicated
that ithas beenconsideringacorporate prosecutionof the parentcompany.RupertMurdoch's
empire mayalsoface corporate charges inthe UnitedStatesbecause thatis where itis legallybased.