The British Sunday newspaper The News of the World - the biggest-selling newspaper of the English-speaking world - came to an end today after it was closed in the wake of phone hacking scandals.
Today's edition of the newspaper, which was founded in 1843, is its last.
More News of the Worlds have been printed than usual as sales of the final edition are expected to be higher than normal.
The paper's editor Andy Coulson resigned on 26 January 2007 over the royal phone tapping scandal. In 2006 the Metropolitan Police laid charges against Clive Goodman, the News of the World's royal editor, and Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator, alleging that they intercepted voicemail messages left for members of the royal household. Both men were jailed in 2007. Allegations against the News of the World in relation to illegal voicemail interceptions have continued in subsequent years, implicating other journalists and staff at the paper; numerous public figures, including politicians and celebrities, were found to have been targeted by the interceptions.
The Metropolitan Police began a new investigation into phone hacking allegations in February 2011, at which time more than twenty civil cases against the News of the World were also active. Attorneys for the victims allege that as many as 7,000 people had their phones hacked by the News of the World, and have estimated that litigation over the paper's actions may cost News Corporation £40 million.
These events didn't really get the public angry. But the final straw came in July when further allegations were made that the News of the World hacked into the voicemails of 13 year-old schoolgirl Milly Dowler, who was abducted and murdered by Levi Bellfield in 2002 (Bellfield was sentenced to die in prison earlier this year) as well as victims of the 7/7 attacks and relatives of deceased British soldiers. The news was met with public outrage in the UK. Advertisers withdrew from the News of the World and other News Corporation holdings, and the company's proposed acquisition of the broadcaster BSkyB was seriously threatened.
Then, on Thursday, James Murdoch, the son of the media mogul Rupert Murdoch of whose media empire the News of the World belonged and Chairman and Chief Executive of News Corporation, Europe and Asia announced that today's edition of the 168 year old newspaper will be its last.
Last night journalists from around the world were present as the News of the World's 200 staff stood outside the paper's headquarters in Wapping, east London, as the editor showed the photographers and TV cameras the front cover of today's historic last News of the World, before announcing that he had his staff, many of whom are now out of a job, are off to the pub together.
The newspaper was first published as The News of the World on 1 October 1843, in London by John Browne Bell. Priced at just three pence (equal to £1.04 today), even before the repeal of the Stamp Act (1855) or paper duty (1861), it was the cheapest newspaper of its time and was aimed directly at the newly literate working class.
Goodbye World: Murdoch arrives to take control of crisis reading last edition of the first British paper he ever bought
Rebekah Brooks will face questioning by police
James Murdoch could be interviewed by U.S. authorities
Rupert Murdoch insists that the decision to close was a 'collective decision'
By Mail On Sunday Reporter10th July 2011
Daily Mail
Rupert Murdoch arrived in Britain today to take charge of the phone hacking crisis that threatens to engulf his whole empire.
The media tycoon gave no hint of the unprecedented storm he is facing as he arrived at News International's headquarters in Wapping, East London, in a Range Rover, a copy of the last edition of the News of the World in his hands.
But today the pressure on Murdoch and his chief executives ratcheted up another notch as it emerged his son James - News Corps's deputy chief operating officer - faces an investigation on both sides of the Atlantic.
Meanwhile Murdoch's British chief executive Rebekah Brooks will be interviewed by police over the phone hacking scandal which closed the NotW. Insiders fear as many as nine journalists and three police officers could ultimately be jailed.
News International's multi-million pound bid to seize full control of BskyB is also on the rocks. The deal came under fresh attack from Labour party leader Ed Miliband and a number of prominent Liberal Democrats today.
Rupert Murdoch turned up at News International's headquarters reading a copy of the last edition of the News of the World
Murdoch insisted the choice to close the News of the World was "a collective decision"
The media tycoon appeared characteristically calm as he arrived at News International's headquarters in East London in a Range Rover and was quickly whisked through the gates 12 hours after News of the World staff finished working on the last edition of the paper.
As the tabloid rolled off the presses and Murdoch flew to London, editor Colin Myler led everyone outside and announced that they would be going to the pub.
Yesterday Murdoch insisted the choice to close the News of the World was ‘a collective decision’, amid reports that his son, James, deputy chief operating officer of News Corp, could face criminal charges in America over News of the World payments to police officers.
Murdoch snr also said that embattled News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks had his ‘total support’. He added: 'I am not throwing innocent people under the bus.'
However, Brooks came under fierce criticism again from Labour Leader Ed Miliband, who told the Andrew Marr show: 'I think it beggars belief that Rebekah Brooks is still in her post - Rebekah Brooks was the editor at the time that Milly Dowler's phone was hacked.'
Mr Miliband is reported to be preparing to force a Commons vote this week on whether consideration of News Corp's proposed takeover of satellite broadcaster BSkyB should be halted.
Sunday 1st October 1843: The first edition of The News of the World
Sunday 10th July 2011: The last News of the World
In a warning to Prime Minister David Cameron, Mr Miliband added: 'He has got to understand that when the public have seen the disgusting revelations that we have seen this week, the idea that this organisation, which engaged in these terrible practices, should be allowed to take over BSkyB, to get that 100 per cent stake, without the criminal investigation having been completed and on the basis of assurances from that self-same organisation - frankly that just won't wash with the public.'
Meanwhile, the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler will press for 'stronger, clearer and faster action' from the Government over phone hacking in meetings this week with senior politicians.
Milly's parents Bob and Sally Dowler are suing the News of the World over claims their daughter's phone was targeted by the newspaper when she went missing in 2002.
Her mother and sister Gemma will be among victims and campaigners meeting Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg tomorrow in an effort to secure a sufficiently comprehensive inquiry.
Talks will be held later in the week with Prime Minister David Cameron, Downing Street said after being forced to withdraw an earlier announcement that the premier would be involved tomorrow as well.
And the Media Standards Trust, which has led a major campaign on the issue and has organised the meetings, said it was also arranging a session with Labour leader Ed Miliband.
News that Milly's phone was among those targeted kicked off a wave of public outrage, fuelled by reports that terror victims' families also had their messages hacked, which resulted in the Sunday newspaper's closure and the announcement by Mr Cameron of a judge-led inquiry into the scandal.
Investigations: James Murdoch (left) could be in trouble with U.S prosecutors while Rebekah Brooks (right) is being asked to present herself at a police station for questioning
In another development, it has transpired that Murdoch jnr could be answerable to allegations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as prosecutors in the U.S. may seek to bring criminal charges, fines and possibly seize assets from News Corp.
Any payments to UK police could trigger a justice department inquiry under American laws because News International is a British subsidiary of the U.S. company.
News of the World journalists are said to have paid police informants as much as £100,000 for their services.
The FCPA act outlaws American companies from bribing foreign officials to gain business.
Mr Murdoch has admitted he inadvertently misled parliament over the phone hacking scandal because he did not have the full facts at the time.
News International denied reports the paper’s offices were to become a designated crime scene when the journalists left.
Meanwhile, chief executive Rebekah Brooks faces questioning by police in the coming days.
The former News of the World editor is expected to be asked to present herself at a police station to explain, under caution, what she knew about phone-hacking and payments to police officers.
Her company insists, however, that she would be treated as a witness and not a suspect.
Waiting TV cameramen and photographers captured the emotional scenes last night as nearly 200 journalists walked out of the News International's east London HQ and into an uncertain future.
Mr Myler said: 'As you can see this is the latest and last News of the World.'
He went on: 'It is the 8,674th edition after 168 years. Its not a position that any editor would want, to close a title and, of course, I didn't close it.
'I want to pay tribute to these wonderful team of people here who after a very difficult day have produced a wonderful paper.
'It is a sad day for the staff, this is not where we want to be and not where we deserve to be.
'As a final tribute to seven-and-a-half million readers, this is for you - and for the staff, thank you.'
It was the climax of an emotional day at the Sunday tabloid's Wapping headquarters and came as News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch prepared to fly to the UK to deal personally with the swiftly unfolding phone hacking crisis which brought the paper to its knees.
The newspaper's front and back pages are covered with images of past exclusives and scoops, and the edition contains a 48-page pull-out.
It promises its readers that profits from the edition will go to charity.
A sub-headline reads: 'After 168 years, we finally say a sad but very proud farewell to our 7.5m loyal readers.'
Earlier reports suggested senior executives and staff had attempted to obstruct the police investigation into telephone hacking by deleting millions of emails and hiding evidence from detectives.
Bundles of the final edition of the paper ready to go on sale at a news stand in King's Cross
The final chapter: Colin Myler holds a copy of the front page on what was an emotional day for News of the World staff
Meanwhile, Andy Coulson spoke for the first time after being released on bail following nine hours of questioning over suspected corruption and the phone hacking which forced the paper’s closure.
He said: ‘I think this is a very sad day for the News of the World. More importantly to the staff who, in my mind, are brilliant, professional people and I really feel for them.’
There were also calls for an honorary title awarded to Mrs Brooks to be withdrawn.
A campaign has been set up by students from University of the Arts London, where Mrs Brooks was awarded an honorary fellowship, calling for the title to be revoked. She was awarded the honour in recognition of her services to media in July last year.
Responding to a request for fresh evidence yesterday, Mrs Brooks insisted there was ‘no reason to believe’ that hacking has been used by any other News International titles. The request came from Keith Vaz, the Labour MP who chairs the cross-party home affairs select committee.
In another development, a 63-year-old man arrested in Surrey on Friday in connection with alleged corrupt payments made to police officers has already been released.
He has been ordered to return to a London police station in October. Police would not confirm reports that he is a private investigator.
Tough time: Andy Coulson has paid tribute to the News of the World staff after he was questioned for nine hours by the police
Last hurrah: Editor of the News of the World, Colin Myler poses with staff outside the newspaper offices in Wapping, east London for the last time last night
News International boss Rupert Murdoch flies in to take charge after News of the World closes | Mail Online
Today's edition of the newspaper, which was founded in 1843, is its last.
More News of the Worlds have been printed than usual as sales of the final edition are expected to be higher than normal.
The paper's editor Andy Coulson resigned on 26 January 2007 over the royal phone tapping scandal. In 2006 the Metropolitan Police laid charges against Clive Goodman, the News of the World's royal editor, and Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator, alleging that they intercepted voicemail messages left for members of the royal household. Both men were jailed in 2007. Allegations against the News of the World in relation to illegal voicemail interceptions have continued in subsequent years, implicating other journalists and staff at the paper; numerous public figures, including politicians and celebrities, were found to have been targeted by the interceptions.
The Metropolitan Police began a new investigation into phone hacking allegations in February 2011, at which time more than twenty civil cases against the News of the World were also active. Attorneys for the victims allege that as many as 7,000 people had their phones hacked by the News of the World, and have estimated that litigation over the paper's actions may cost News Corporation £40 million.
These events didn't really get the public angry. But the final straw came in July when further allegations were made that the News of the World hacked into the voicemails of 13 year-old schoolgirl Milly Dowler, who was abducted and murdered by Levi Bellfield in 2002 (Bellfield was sentenced to die in prison earlier this year) as well as victims of the 7/7 attacks and relatives of deceased British soldiers. The news was met with public outrage in the UK. Advertisers withdrew from the News of the World and other News Corporation holdings, and the company's proposed acquisition of the broadcaster BSkyB was seriously threatened.
Then, on Thursday, James Murdoch, the son of the media mogul Rupert Murdoch of whose media empire the News of the World belonged and Chairman and Chief Executive of News Corporation, Europe and Asia announced that today's edition of the 168 year old newspaper will be its last.
Last night journalists from around the world were present as the News of the World's 200 staff stood outside the paper's headquarters in Wapping, east London, as the editor showed the photographers and TV cameras the front cover of today's historic last News of the World, before announcing that he had his staff, many of whom are now out of a job, are off to the pub together.
The newspaper was first published as The News of the World on 1 October 1843, in London by John Browne Bell. Priced at just three pence (equal to £1.04 today), even before the repeal of the Stamp Act (1855) or paper duty (1861), it was the cheapest newspaper of its time and was aimed directly at the newly literate working class.
Goodbye World: Murdoch arrives to take control of crisis reading last edition of the first British paper he ever bought
Rebekah Brooks will face questioning by police
James Murdoch could be interviewed by U.S. authorities
Rupert Murdoch insists that the decision to close was a 'collective decision'
By Mail On Sunday Reporter10th July 2011
Daily Mail
Rupert Murdoch arrived in Britain today to take charge of the phone hacking crisis that threatens to engulf his whole empire.
The media tycoon gave no hint of the unprecedented storm he is facing as he arrived at News International's headquarters in Wapping, East London, in a Range Rover, a copy of the last edition of the News of the World in his hands.
But today the pressure on Murdoch and his chief executives ratcheted up another notch as it emerged his son James - News Corps's deputy chief operating officer - faces an investigation on both sides of the Atlantic.
Meanwhile Murdoch's British chief executive Rebekah Brooks will be interviewed by police over the phone hacking scandal which closed the NotW. Insiders fear as many as nine journalists and three police officers could ultimately be jailed.
News International's multi-million pound bid to seize full control of BskyB is also on the rocks. The deal came under fresh attack from Labour party leader Ed Miliband and a number of prominent Liberal Democrats today.
Rupert Murdoch turned up at News International's headquarters reading a copy of the last edition of the News of the World
Murdoch insisted the choice to close the News of the World was "a collective decision"
The media tycoon appeared characteristically calm as he arrived at News International's headquarters in East London in a Range Rover and was quickly whisked through the gates 12 hours after News of the World staff finished working on the last edition of the paper.
As the tabloid rolled off the presses and Murdoch flew to London, editor Colin Myler led everyone outside and announced that they would be going to the pub.
Yesterday Murdoch insisted the choice to close the News of the World was ‘a collective decision’, amid reports that his son, James, deputy chief operating officer of News Corp, could face criminal charges in America over News of the World payments to police officers.
Murdoch snr also said that embattled News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks had his ‘total support’. He added: 'I am not throwing innocent people under the bus.'
However, Brooks came under fierce criticism again from Labour Leader Ed Miliband, who told the Andrew Marr show: 'I think it beggars belief that Rebekah Brooks is still in her post - Rebekah Brooks was the editor at the time that Milly Dowler's phone was hacked.'
Mr Miliband is reported to be preparing to force a Commons vote this week on whether consideration of News Corp's proposed takeover of satellite broadcaster BSkyB should be halted.
Sunday 1st October 1843: The first edition of The News of the World
Sunday 10th July 2011: The last News of the World
In a warning to Prime Minister David Cameron, Mr Miliband added: 'He has got to understand that when the public have seen the disgusting revelations that we have seen this week, the idea that this organisation, which engaged in these terrible practices, should be allowed to take over BSkyB, to get that 100 per cent stake, without the criminal investigation having been completed and on the basis of assurances from that self-same organisation - frankly that just won't wash with the public.'
Meanwhile, the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler will press for 'stronger, clearer and faster action' from the Government over phone hacking in meetings this week with senior politicians.
Milly's parents Bob and Sally Dowler are suing the News of the World over claims their daughter's phone was targeted by the newspaper when she went missing in 2002.
Her mother and sister Gemma will be among victims and campaigners meeting Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg tomorrow in an effort to secure a sufficiently comprehensive inquiry.
Talks will be held later in the week with Prime Minister David Cameron, Downing Street said after being forced to withdraw an earlier announcement that the premier would be involved tomorrow as well.
And the Media Standards Trust, which has led a major campaign on the issue and has organised the meetings, said it was also arranging a session with Labour leader Ed Miliband.
News that Milly's phone was among those targeted kicked off a wave of public outrage, fuelled by reports that terror victims' families also had their messages hacked, which resulted in the Sunday newspaper's closure and the announcement by Mr Cameron of a judge-led inquiry into the scandal.
Investigations: James Murdoch (left) could be in trouble with U.S prosecutors while Rebekah Brooks (right) is being asked to present herself at a police station for questioning
In another development, it has transpired that Murdoch jnr could be answerable to allegations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as prosecutors in the U.S. may seek to bring criminal charges, fines and possibly seize assets from News Corp.
Any payments to UK police could trigger a justice department inquiry under American laws because News International is a British subsidiary of the U.S. company.
News of the World journalists are said to have paid police informants as much as £100,000 for their services.
The FCPA act outlaws American companies from bribing foreign officials to gain business.
Mr Murdoch has admitted he inadvertently misled parliament over the phone hacking scandal because he did not have the full facts at the time.
News International denied reports the paper’s offices were to become a designated crime scene when the journalists left.
Meanwhile, chief executive Rebekah Brooks faces questioning by police in the coming days.
The former News of the World editor is expected to be asked to present herself at a police station to explain, under caution, what she knew about phone-hacking and payments to police officers.
Her company insists, however, that she would be treated as a witness and not a suspect.
Waiting TV cameramen and photographers captured the emotional scenes last night as nearly 200 journalists walked out of the News International's east London HQ and into an uncertain future.
Mr Myler said: 'As you can see this is the latest and last News of the World.'
He went on: 'It is the 8,674th edition after 168 years. Its not a position that any editor would want, to close a title and, of course, I didn't close it.
'I want to pay tribute to these wonderful team of people here who after a very difficult day have produced a wonderful paper.
'It is a sad day for the staff, this is not where we want to be and not where we deserve to be.
'As a final tribute to seven-and-a-half million readers, this is for you - and for the staff, thank you.'
It was the climax of an emotional day at the Sunday tabloid's Wapping headquarters and came as News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch prepared to fly to the UK to deal personally with the swiftly unfolding phone hacking crisis which brought the paper to its knees.
The newspaper's front and back pages are covered with images of past exclusives and scoops, and the edition contains a 48-page pull-out.
It promises its readers that profits from the edition will go to charity.
A sub-headline reads: 'After 168 years, we finally say a sad but very proud farewell to our 7.5m loyal readers.'
Earlier reports suggested senior executives and staff had attempted to obstruct the police investigation into telephone hacking by deleting millions of emails and hiding evidence from detectives.
Bundles of the final edition of the paper ready to go on sale at a news stand in King's Cross
The final chapter: Colin Myler holds a copy of the front page on what was an emotional day for News of the World staff
Meanwhile, Andy Coulson spoke for the first time after being released on bail following nine hours of questioning over suspected corruption and the phone hacking which forced the paper’s closure.
He said: ‘I think this is a very sad day for the News of the World. More importantly to the staff who, in my mind, are brilliant, professional people and I really feel for them.’
There were also calls for an honorary title awarded to Mrs Brooks to be withdrawn.
A campaign has been set up by students from University of the Arts London, where Mrs Brooks was awarded an honorary fellowship, calling for the title to be revoked. She was awarded the honour in recognition of her services to media in July last year.
Responding to a request for fresh evidence yesterday, Mrs Brooks insisted there was ‘no reason to believe’ that hacking has been used by any other News International titles. The request came from Keith Vaz, the Labour MP who chairs the cross-party home affairs select committee.
In another development, a 63-year-old man arrested in Surrey on Friday in connection with alleged corrupt payments made to police officers has already been released.
He has been ordered to return to a London police station in October. Police would not confirm reports that he is a private investigator.
Last hurrah: Editor of the News of the World, Colin Myler poses with staff outside the newspaper offices in Wapping, east London for the last time last night
News International boss Rupert Murdoch flies in to take charge after News of the World closes | Mail Online
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