Reporter claimed News Corp. phone hacking was 'widely discussed' at meetings

A (PDF), published Tuesday by the British Parliament, accuses high ranking executives and other journalists at the now-defunct News of the World of actively discussing phone hacking efforts during editorial meetings, and calls into question the testimony of Rupert and James Murdoch.

Written by former News of the World royal correspondent Clive Goodman in response to a formal termination notice signed by Les Hinton, the former CEO of Dow Jones and publisher of The Wall Street Journal, it claims the sacked reporter did nothing that was not explicitly authorized by executives and other senior journalists at the paper.

He claims the snooping took place "with the full knowledge and support of" News Corp. officials and was even "widely discussed' in meetings until explicit reference to their activities was banned by former editor Andy Coulson. Goodman was the first News of the World reporter to be arrested for intercepting phone messages. Coulson was later hired as Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman.

The letter also alleges that Coulson offered to let Goodman keep his job if he didn't testify against them in court.

The document may also affect Les Hinton, the former chairman of News International who News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch picked to lead The Wall Street Journal. Hinton told Parliament in 2009 that "there had never been any evidence delivered to me that suggested the conduct had spread beyond one journalist." That would seem to be contradicted by Goodman's letter, which shows Hinton as a recipient.

"If others had evidence that wrongdoing went further, I was not told about it," Hinton wrote in his July resignation letter addressed to his long-time boss.

The document's revelation may ultimately trigger the recall of Hinton, along with James and Rupert Murdoch, for fresh testimony before Parliament. Both the CEO and his son, who leads News International, said they had no knowledge of wrongdoing at the company.

"Clive Goodman's letter is the most significant piece of evidence that has been revealed so far," wrote Member of Parliament Tom Watson, in another letter published Tuesday. "It completely removes News International's defence. This is one of the largest cover-ups I have seen in my lifetime."

(H/T: The Guardian)