Local MPs hit out at phone-hacking boss

MPs have called for heads to roll at the top of scandal-hit News International as the phone-hacking scandal was debated in Parliament.

Both Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams last night spoke of their disgust after Graham Foulkes, the Oldham father of 7/7 bomb victim David, was told by police that his address, ex-directory phone number and mobile number were found by officers investigating phone hacking by a News of the World investigator.

Mrs Abrahams said: “Tuesday evening, Graham contacted me to say the police had informed him that they had found his details during their investigation and his ex-directory phone had possibly been hacked into during 2005.

“I asked him how he felt and he said he was horrified that for the sake of a news story people had listened into some of the most personal and private conversations in the week when his family feared the worst but were waiting on DNA evidence to confirm that David had been killed.

“I would go further and say in addition to individual culpability, the culture in any organisation that condones that kind behaviour, and the leadership that creates and sustains that culture is also responsible.

“To his credit Graham was concerned that this sort of revelation would taint the responsible media.”

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher added: “I think it is utterly despicable that at a time when someone is suffering an awful tragedy to find later that your privacy and humanity has been invaded.

“It is gratuitous and callous behaviour from a newspaper and I think it revolts everyone up and down the country.

“There seems to be a gathering storm across the country and although I do not agree some will say politicians and celebrities deserve it, but ordinary people faced with tragedy, it is unforgivable. It is amoral and vile behaviour.

“I do not see how Rebekah Brooks (editor at the time) can stay on in her position as Chief Executive of News International. There seems to be no morality or ethics.”

Mr Meacher fears more horrific revelations regarding the scandal have yet to emerge.