Commenting on the jury’s guilty verdict on Mazher Mahmood today, Dr Evan Harris, Joint Executive Director, Hacked Off Campaign, said:

“The implications of this verdict are far-reaching. Many of those who were convicted or accused of criminal offences on the basis of Mazher Mahmood “sting” stories published by News of the World working with the Met Police are appealing their convictions, or considering other legal action. Hacked Off is also aware of other very serious allegations against Mahmood which are likely to now surface.

It must be remembered that Mahmood and his bosses, who included Rebekah Brooks, gave evidence at the first part of the Leveson Inquiry – evidence which this verdict now calls into question. This verdict underscores yet again the need for the second part of the Leveson Inquiry, which was postponed pending criminal trials like this, to proceed as planned in order to explore the extent of corporate cover-ups in the press industry and any corrupt links between journalists like Mahmood, his newspapers and the police.

Notes

Hacked Off is the campaign for a free and accountable press. The Campaign works with victims of press abuse to achieve those aims.

PRESS ENQUIRIES AND INTERVIEWS: press@hackinginquiry.org or call Nathan Sparkes on 07554 665 940