View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Publishers
  2. National Newspapers
September 4, 2015updated 19 Oct 2015 5:02pm

Former News UK head of security issues video promise to expose ‘underhand’ Brooks and Murdoch

By Dominic Ponsford

Former News International/News UK head of security Mark Hanna has promised to make shocking revelations about “underhand” goings on involving Rebekah Brooks and Rupert Murdoch.

Hanna made a video on Youtube broadast today in response to the news that Brooks is returning to her old job as chief executive of News UK (formerly News International).

Hanna stood trial alongside Brooks in 2004 and was found not guilty of conspiring with her and her husband Charlie to pervert the course of justice by hiding computers and documents from police.

Hanna was made redundant in January, after previously being suspended on full pay, and was given a reported £30,000 pay-off. In June it was reported that he is pursuing a claim for unfair dismissal.

Talking about Brooks’s new job, he said: “To me, her previous director of group security, this is Murdoch’s middle finger being shoved right in my face after standing trial with her and others in what was classed as the trial of the century during which it was widely accepted that I should have never been involved.

“I am now standing up against those who sit back and treat us all with contempt, the Murdochs and Brooks’s of the world.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“Very soon I intend to make it known how underhand they have been and despite whistleblowing by myself they have ignored various warnings of potential illegal activity.”

Hanna also said he would reveal “confessions” made by his co-defendants in the eight-month hacking trial.

He said: “Having been extremely close to some of those who pulled strings within the company and gained their trust as well as sitting there every day in the dock…conversations took place, notes were taken and even confessions were made.

“I intend to tell you everything I know which I am sure will shock everybody. As well as what it was like working what was or is certainly becoming one of the most hated organisations in the UK if not the world.”

Hanna also said in the video: “From the day I joined the company things were not right, from dealing with intrusive surveillance to unclear payments, having always been law abiding and doing things by the book I aired by concerns to the relevant management but was always told to ignore things.

“As time went on more issues came to light and again after reporting them and airing my concerns of potentially illegal activity which are classed as protective disclosures I was told just t carry them out without regard to who it involved.

“This blasé attitude was never so relevant as today with the reinstatement of Rebekah Brooks. This, in my opinion , shows total contempt for all the victims of their antics and proven illegal activities over the years.”

A spokesperson for News UK said: "Mark Hanna has been through an exceptionally difficult time. He was acquitted in court and, throughout the trial, we supported him and paid his substantial legal fees. We also continued to pay his salary and bonuses and provided other financial support throughout his trial and afterwards. When he said he wished to return, we offered him a comparable position with the company.

"Despite all our efforts to find a resolution with Mark, the matter is now before an employment tribunal, a fair and independent proceeding, where the company will defend itself vigorously. We consider his Youtube video to be an attempt to force News UK into offering an unreasonable financial settlement.  Of course, we completely reject his accusations of illegal conduct."

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network