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.
Related
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.
“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
