Death of Sean Hoare 137


The best whistleblower so far from inside News International has just been found dead. Hertfordshire Police, either incredibly stupid or incredibly corrupt, have just been quoted on Sky News as saying there are “No suspicious circumstances”.

Whaether this is a convenient heart attack or a Kelly type “suicide” remains to be seen. Maybe the Met mistook him for a suicide bomber and pumped several shots into his head. With the exception of Kelly, this is possibly the most suspicious death of my lifetime. “No suspicious circumstances”. WTF!!

Sean Hoare’s testimony that Andy Coulson knew of individual phone hacking operations is pretty well certain to be true. I have written many times for national newspapers, and wherever I have written disparagingly about anybody, I have had to give my evidence. I have even, for example, been called in actually to meet the legal advisers at the Mail and discuss my evidence. The idea that journalists were not telling Coulson where they got their stories, or for what purpose they were laying out tens of thousands of pounds, is simply not practically possible. Same goes for the period when Rebekah was editor.

Sean Hoare’s testimony was plainly, absolutely true. His death discourages other whistleblowers a bit, doesn’t it? If the inquiries into News International are going to have any credibility, they are going to need a witness protection programme – from which the Met are totally excluded.


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137 thoughts on “Death of Sean Hoare

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  • mary

    I woke up late today (8am) made some tea and switched on Sky News to hear the latest. There was Alastair Campbell holding forth on what Cameron should do. I wondered if the sexer up of the dodgy dossier had realised, as I did yesterday, that the discovery of the both of the bodies of David Kelly and Sean Hoare occurred on the same day. Is he still haunted about David Kelly’s death?
    RIP Dr David Kelly
    RIP Sean Hoare

  • John Goss

    I concede that fate and coincidence could account for an otherwise unaccountable death. That’s why a proper inquest should take place, and be completed – to rule out foul play. It may be appropriate to use a panel of coroners in some high-profile cases to be absolutely sure the verdict is safe. But when no inquest takes place, as in the death of David Kelly, questions are always going to be hanging in the air. An apology from the Bill Clinton or Hilary Clinton fifty, sixty, or seventy years after the event for experimenting on blacks in Alabama and prisoners and others in Guatemala by injecting them with syphilis and other nasty diseases, without their permission, is of no comfort. If it had been known at the time (and that was the same time Mengele was conducting experiments on Jewish prisoners) there would have been absolute outrage. This lack of knowledge at the time of the event is the same as Dominic Grieve not allowing an inquest into David Kelly’s death. And now Sean Hoare! Some deaths seem particularly convenient for those who have been manipulating the news for the last four decades.

  • Paul Johnston

    @Yugo and Suhayl!
    Same day as William Westmoreland who lead US forces in Vietnam, spooky!
    Watergate as well šŸ™‚

  • mary

    Suhayl you should give us a warning when you post that piece about Karimov’s daughter that it contains a photo that might cause shock!
    .
    I have just read back and see that Angry also spotted the coincidence of the dates.

  • ingo

    fact is, Sean Hoare, according to his doctor was dying of liver disease, and he spoke out. Chances of him spreading lies and innuendo at a point in live when he knew that his health is failing, totally, is very small.

    Question, will there be an inquest on a his death, if not, can anyone outside pay and ask for it?
    Thanks for the botnet warning, shall try and keep away from too exciting links today, my computer runs on steam and can’t cope with any bamboozlin’

    My best wishes to those who thought that the coverage in Murdochs paper did not reflect the reality over the last week, a little of their own message and methods might just get them to repent, for a day.
    My condolences to his family, the stress of it all could have killed him, but lets find out, don’t let some Patel carve him up ffs.
    What led the police to establish their judgment of ‘no suspicious circumstances’.

    In the light of the damning statements he made, which stand up in their own right as such , but can’t be collaborated by him anymore, this death would be seen as suspicious as the unexplainable death of tron, RIP, explained.

    Rupert using methods like that? never….

  • Paul Johnston

    @Dreolin

    The link you pasted (http://newsint.co.uk/statement_regarding_the_sun.html) gave:

    Object not found!

    The requested URL was not found on this server. The link on the referring page seems to be wrong or outdated. Please inform the author of that page about the error.

    If you think this is a server error, please contact the webmaster.
    Error 404
    newsint.co.uk
    Tue Jul 19 08:39:39 2011
    Apache

    That is the most pathetic 404 I have ever seen, still it’s running on open software šŸ™‚
    Anyway do you have a cached copy?

  • emmar

    Conspiracy or not, for a guy who was first to come out with all this he must have been under some amount of pressure the past couple of weeks…. He seemed OK on panorama, wonder when that interview was filmed?

  • mary

    Off topic. A call to boycott the appearance of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra at the Proms on September 1st. At the top of the piece is a reproduction of a photo of the orchestra playing to the occupying force in Palestine in 1948 entitled IPO Entertains Troops 1948.
    .
    Out of Tune with Human Rights
    BBC Proms: Cancel Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Invitation
    .
    http://www.pacbi.org/etemplate.php?id=1670
    .
    The BDS campaign is the only thing that the Zionists understand. btw the solo French boat Dignite is approaching Gaza.
    {http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/56-news/1329-dignite-on-the-last-leg-of-voyage-to-gaza}
    Brave people. Hope they don’t get blown out of the water.

  • YugoStiglitz

    Heh Mary, as Suhayl would hopefully say, what about Karimov?

    Suhayl, why don’t you call out Mary and others for not demonstrating against Karimov?

  • dreoilin

    Paul,
    That link went to a blank page last night. I thought it was LulzSec’s idea of “improving” the News International statement. But it turned out that (maybe?) News Int had taken all of their sites down when the Sun was hacked.
    .
    You can see a screengrab of the “Rupert Murdoch’s body found” story, along with more details, here
    http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/18/lulzsec-hacks-the-sun-redirects-homepage-to-fake-murdoch-death-story/
    .
    I’m off to boil an egg and make more coffee. You can read the LulzSec tweets here:
    {http://twitter.com/#!/lulzsec}

  • Peter N

    The death does seem very suspicious. It will be interesting to see what comes out after the police investigation. Forensics have already been on the scene for some time, so there must be suspicion of foul play.

    [Jon/mod: edited to remove commercial urls]

  • mark_golding

    I suspect Agent Cameron arranged the hit before doing a ‘Blair type’ off to South Africa. Sean (PBUH) was once a close friend of Coulson. He was interviewed under caution by a team headed by disgraced Assistant Commissioner John Yates. Sean had *in-depth* knowledge of NOTW reporters bribing police officers to track targets for stories using mobile-phone mast technology.

  • Suhayl Saadi

    Yugostiglitz, as I said, I was reminded of Karimov by the recent article in the Daily Telegraph on the Paris court ruling. I am simply asking you for your opinion on the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov and his family. Why would be this be a difficult or problematic question for you? I would warrant that 99.9% of the bloggers here would find it really easy to answer the question. Here it is again: Yugostiglitz, what is your opinion on the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov and his family?

  • Cassie

    David Kelly.. Christopher Shale…and now Sean Hoare.. is this taking coincidence too far or is ‘something rotten in the state of Denmark’? I know people sneer at the old conspiracy theory thing but….how convenient it is when these people choose to exit right on cue. It’s beginning to feel like Russia rather than England. Being a senior level whistleblower does seem to be a very dangerous occupation.

  • Jaded.

    It is a deep well of evil. I don’t really give a toss what name they have or who exactly is a member, but secret societies are behind most of the skulduggery in this world. They seem to have control of our security services and many other top positions within the U.K. infrastrcuture of power. Right, so what else would be a useful power structure to control if you had the means to and nefarious motives? An army of idiots let’s say. I’m saying nothing. Answers on a post card… šŸ™‚

  • XXY

    Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016132/Sean-Hoare-dead-News-World-phone-hacking-whistleblower-feared-life.html

    Article submitted here in case its edited or is taken down.

    ‘Someone’s coming to get me’: Terrified phone-hacking whistleblower feared for his life before he was found dead

    Sean Hoare found dead at his flat in Watford, Herts
    Ex NotW reporter’s claims last autumn reignited scandal
    Mr Hoare claimed Coulson’s denials of phone hacking were ‘a lie’
    Police probing former showbiz reporter’s ‘suicide’
    Friends suggest he may have died of natural causes
    Post mortem being carried out this morning

    By Sam Greenhill, Tom Kelly and James Chapman

    Last updated at 4:05 PM on 19th July 2011

    Comments (494)
    Add to My Stories
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    Found dead: Former News of the World journalist Sean Hoare was discovered at his home in Watford

    Found dead: Former News of the World journalist Sean Hoare was discovered at his home in Watford

    The man who launched the entire phone hacking scandal had become a paranoid recluse who believed someone was out to get him, a friend has revealed.

    Sean Hoare, who was found dead at his flat in Watford, Hertfordshire, yesterday, had spent much of the last weeks of his life ‘hiding’ in his flat with the curtains drawn.

    Last night a friend and neighbour claimed Mr Hoare, 47, had become increasingly reclusive and paranoid in recent weeks.

    ā€˜He would talk about someone from the Government coming to get him,’ he said.

    ‘Heā€™d say to me, ā€œIf anyone comes by, donā€™t say Iā€™m inā€.

    ‘He was physically going downhill. He was yellow in colour and wasnā€™t looking well for the last month.

    ā€˜He had a constant struggle with alcohol and talked to me about how much he had put his wife through.

    ā€˜He did say something about phone hacking and I think that was his main worry. He had definite concerns with the media. He did mention he was paranoid and would mention conspiracy stuff.ā€™

    Former News of the World journalist Mr Hoare had accused former Tory media chief Andy Coulson of lying about his role in the affair.

    He said that when editor of the paper, Mr Coulson actively encouraged his staff to intercept the calls of celebrities.

    It was his explosive claims last autumn that reignited the scandal and ultimately led to the tumultuous events of the past fortnight which have shaken the political, police and media establishments.

    Police were investigating the possibility that he had killed himself, saying his death was ā€˜not thought to be suspiciousā€™.

    His death came on a day when:

    The Metropolitan Police was left in turmoil as counter-terrorism officer John Yates was forced to follow Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and resign;
    Mr Yates faced investigation over claims that he secured a Scotland Yard job for the daughter of hacking suspect Neil Wallis;
    David Cameron cut short a trip to Africa and said he will fly back to Britain today after agreeing to delay Parliamentā€™s summer break to discuss the affair;
    London Mayor Boris Johnson infuriated Number Ten by refusing to say whether the PM should quit over his hiring of Mr Coulson;
    Police recovered a bag containing a computer, phone and paperwork found in a bin near Rebekah Brooksā€™s London home.

    Mr Hoare in the sitting room of his home. A friend and neighbour claimed Mr Hoare had become increasingly reclusive and paranoid in recent weeks

    Mr Hoare in the sitting room of his home. A friend and neighbour claimed Mr Hoare had become increasingly reclusive and paranoid in recent weeks
    Tragic: Police are investigating the death of Mr Hoare after his body was found at his Hertfordshire home

    Tragic: Police are investigating the death of Mr Hoare after his body was found at his Hertfordshire home

    The body of Mr Hoare, 47, was discovered by police yesterday morning at his modern first-floor flat in Watford.

    The former reporter blew the whistle during an investigation by the New York Times last September, pointing the finger directly at Mr Coulson, by then the Prime Ministerā€™s communications chief.

    Until Mr Hoare spoke out in September, pressure had eased on Mr Coulson, recruited by David Cameron as his media chief in 2007 after resigning as editor of the News of the World when royal reporter Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed.

    More…

    News Corp shares bounce as markets shrug off doubts over Rupert Murdoch’s position
    Brooks and mystery of dumped bag: Laptop, phone and papers ‘belonging to husband’ found in bin near couple’s London home
    As phone hacking scandal deepens, Cameron flies home to face the biggest crisis of his premiership
    No. 10 aide told me not to compromise Cameron: Met chief Sir Paul Stephenson claims he was told to be quiet that hacking suspect had been hired by Met
    Murdoch will ‘absolutely’ launch investigation into 9/11 phone-hacking if evidence comes out

    Last week, Mr Hoare was back in the spotlight with further claims, telling the New York Times that reporters at the News of the World were able to use police technology to locate people using their mobile phone signals in exchange for payments to police officers.

    Mr Coulson, who quit Downing Street in January and was arrested over hacking earlier this month, has strenuously denied Mr Hoareā€™s allegations.
    Allegations: Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson was aware phone hacking took place at the paper, Mr Hoare claimed last year

    Allegations: Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson was aware phone hacking took place at the paper, Mr Hoare claimed last year

    SEAN HOARE’S CLAIMS
    Sean Hoare

    Last year Mr Hoare (right) claimed that Andy Coulson was aware of phone hacking while he was editor at the News of the World.

    He gave an interview to the New York Times, and then to the BBC, about the use of phone hacking at the newspaper.

    Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, he said phone hacking was ‘endemic’ in the newspaper industry.

    Mr Hoare, who worked on the Sun before being recruited by Mr Coulson to work on the NOTW, said: ‘He was well aware that the practice exists. To deny it is a lie, simply a lie.’

    Mr Coulson denies the allegations.

    Later, Mr Hoare was interviewed by police over the allegations he had made but would offer no comment, Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said in December.

    He issued a statement last year that he had ā€˜never condoned the use of phone hacking and nor do I have any recollection of incidences where phone hacking took placeā€™.

    But Mr Hoare told Radio 4ā€™s PM programme that phone hacking was ā€˜endemicā€™ at the newspaper and said of his former boss: ā€˜He was well aware that the practice exists. To deny it is a lie, simply a lie.ā€™

    Mr Hoareā€™s death remained unexplained last night.

    Police could not rule out suicide but friends suggested natural causes was also a possibility as he had been suffering from ill health.

    A post-mortem examination was taking place this morning as police continued to investigate the death.

    A Hertfordshire Police spokeswoman added: ‘The man’s next of kin have been informed and the family are being supported by police at this sad time.’

    Officers have yet to confirm arrangements for an inquest to be opened.

    His solicitor David Sonn said: ā€˜I last spoke to him a week ago and he seemed fine. I am shocked and saddened. It is a terrible tragedy.ā€™

    He added: ā€˜In giving his statement to the New York Times, he was arguably the catalyst for everything that has happened since.ā€™ When Mr Coulson was made editor of the News of the World in 2003, he recruited Mr Hoare as a showbusiness reporter.
    Investigation: Forensic officers and a policeman at the flat of Mr Hoare

    Investigation: Forensic officers and a policeman at the flat of Mr Hoare

    They had previously both worked on The Sunā€™s showbusiness column Bizarre.

    One former colleague said: ā€˜At The Sun, they were absolutely the best of buddies. They used to go out to Covent Garden and socialise all night together. Andy would cover for Sean, or vice versa, if one of them was too hung over for work.

    ā€˜I last saw Sean at a do not all that long after he left the News of the World. He was looking very scrubbed and sober and I asked what he planned to do, and he said he wanted to get back into journalism but added, ā€œJournalism has turned its back on meā€.ā€™

    Mr Hoare was sacked from the News of the World over drink and drug problems in 2005, and last year sources at the paper said that his claims should be treated with ā€˜extreme scepticismā€™.

    But a friend who saw him more recently described him as ā€˜soberā€™ and wanting to rebuild his career.
    Evidence: The death of Mr Hoare is currently being treated as unexplained, said authorities

    Evidence: The death of Mr Hoare is currently being treated as unexplained, said authorities

    Guarded: Two police officers stand outside Mr Hoare’s flat

    Guarded: Two police officers stand outside Mr Hoare’s flat

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016132/Sean-Hoare-dead-News-World-phone-hacking-whistleblower-feared-life.html#ixzz1SZjBNgaT

  • XXY

    I suspect there’s coing to be a connection here:

    Elizabeth Filippouli (AlJazeera) – Greek Gate
    Just a few months before the 2004 Olympic Games began in Athens, the worst espionage scandal in Greece’s history was uncovered. Vodafone discovered wire tap software in its cell phone system, allowing thousands of illegal interceptions to be made. People who were tapped included the Greek PM, a member of the opposition party, former prime ministers, journalists and businessmen. The event took a tragic and suspicious turn when Vodafone’s leading engineer was found hanging a day after the discovery of the devices

    http://www.indybay.org/uploads/2007/07/28/greek_gate.rm

  • dreoilin

    “Hertfordshire Police have sent my colleague Paul Lewis the results of the post mortem on the body of Sean Hoare, the News of the World whistle-blower:

    “There is no evidence of third party involvement and the death is non suspicious. Further toxicology results are now awaited and there is an on-going examination of health problems identified at the post mortem”

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2011/jul/19/rebekah-brooks-mps

  • mark_golding

    Sean M. Madden – I am interested in Madsen’s ‘Christopher Shale murder linked to that of Dr. David Kelly’ which has made certain events clearer. I have detailed knowledge of ‘NOT FOR SOUTH AFRICA EYES’ communications, Beira patrol and SA nuclear weapons & Tech. I am forwarding the report to Norman Baker MP who is still investigating David Kelly’s demise.

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