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September 3, 2015

Neville Thurlbeck on Rebekah’s return: ‘I never once heard her speak of anything untoward’

By Dominic Ponsford

Former News of the World chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck has said he is "delighted" to see Rebekah Brooks return to News UK as chief executive.

Thurlbeck admitted involvement in phone-hacking and was sentenced to six months in prison last year. At the same trial Brooks was found not guity of conspiracy to hack phones and commit misconduct in a public office during her time as editor of the News of the World from 2000-2003.

Thurlbeck, who now runs PR company Clear Vista Media, said in a statement: "I am delighted for Rebekah and her family. In the dark days of 2012, I told her she would emerge from this and into blue skies and broad horizons and today, that has come to pass.

"I was Rebekah's news editor from 2001 to 2003 and I worked closely with her for many, many years. I never once heard her speak of or authorise anything untoward. That is why she was found innocent of all charges.
"Rebekah was and will continue to be a brilliant and skillful CEO and I wish her all the very best.
"If wishing her well makes me unpopular in certain quarters, so be it."

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