Scotland Yard has announced that it is considering a request to investigate William Lewis, the publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post. The inquiry centers on allegations that Lewis obstructed justice during his tenure at Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper company over a decade ago. The request for the investigation was made by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has been vocal about the need for accountability in the media industry. The allegations against Lewis stem from his involvement in the phone-hacking scandal that rocked Murdoch’s tabloids in the early 2010s.
The allegations against William Lewis date back to 2011, when he was an executive at News UK, Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper company. During this time, Murdoch’s tabloids were embroiled in a phone-hacking scandal that involved the illegal interception of voicemails of celebrities, politicians, and ordinary citizens. The scandal led to numerous lawsuits and police investigations, and Lewis was a key liaison between News UK and law enforcement.
According to the allegations, Lewis and the chief technology officer of News UK, Paul Cheesbrough, were questioned by police in July 2011 about the deletion of millions of emails six months earlier. These emails were suspected to contain evidence of the phone-hacking activities. When asked about the deletions, Lewis and Cheesbrough claimed that they had been informed of a plot by Gordon Brown and another member of parliament to acquire the emails of News UK’s chief executive, Rebekah Brooks.
Brown and the former MP, Tom Watson, have denied any such plot. The allegations of obstruction of justice against Lewis have resurfaced as Brown continues to push for a thorough investigation into the matter. The former prime minister has argued that the media industry must be held accountable for its actions and that justice must be served.
Scotland Yard’s Preliminary Inquiry
Scotland Yard has opened a preliminary inquiry into the allegations against William Lewis. The inquiry is being handled by a special enquiry team under the central specialist crime command. This team is tasked with reviewing the evidence and determining whether a full criminal investigation is warranted.
In a statement, British police confirmed that there is no criminal investigation at this time. However, the preliminary inquiry represents a significant step in addressing the allegations against Lewis. The inquiry will focus on the events of 2011 and the actions taken by Lewis and other executives at News UK during the phone-hacking scandal.
The decision to open a preliminary inquiry has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised Scotland Yard for taking the allegations seriously and pursuing justice, while others have criticized the move as politically motivated. Regardless of the outcome, the inquiry underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in the media industry.
Implications for The Washington Post
The allegations against William Lewis have significant implications for The Washington Post, one of the most respected institutions in American journalism. Since assuming the role of publisher and chief executive in January, Lewis has been dogged by the controversy stemming from his time at News UK. The inquiry into his actions has raised questions about his leadership and the potential impact on The Washington Post’s reputation.
The Washington Post has a long-standing commitment to journalistic integrity and transparency, as evidenced by its motto, “Democracy dies in darkness.” The allegations against Lewis, however, have cast a shadow over the newspaper’s leadership. As the inquiry progresses, The Washington Post will need to navigate the challenges posed by the investigation and maintain its commitment to ethical journalism.
The outcome of the inquiry will have far-reaching consequences for both Lewis and The Washington Post. If the allegations are substantiated, it could lead to significant changes in the newspaper’s leadership and operations. Conversely, if the inquiry finds no wrongdoing, it could bolster Lewis’s position and reaffirm The Washington Post’s commitment to accountability.
