James Desborough
Encyclopedia
James Desborough started work at the London regional newspaper the Barking & Dagenham Post
as a news reporter in 1994. The newspaper’s other famous past reporters include Phil Hall, who later became the editor of The News of The World.
In 1995 Desborough moved to Channel One TV – the Daily Mail parent group Associated Newspaper’s ill fated effort into local television. The station was a cable only news and entertainment channel. Its senior executives included Nick Pollard, who later went on to head up Sky News, ITN news editor Peter Wallace and New York Daily News Editor Martin Dunn. After starting on the Newsdesk he was promoted to entertainment reporter and later Showbiz Editor.
Desborough worked for the channel’s daily entertainment show The Biz, presented by Julia Caesar. During his time there he produced special programmes and feature length interviews on Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Full Monty and Bon Jovi.
Desborough produced and presented specials on the film industry. The channels’ other well known reporters included Thomas Moore and Paul Brennan, who both now work at Sky News, TV host Ruth England and BBC Sports host Chris Hollins.
After Channel One TV closed in 1998 Desborough worked as a continuity host for ITV2 and presented a late night ITV1 London series Wired, which covered London’s social scene.
Desborough worked as a freelancer diary reporter on the London showbiz and social scene from 1999 to 2000.
In 2000 Desborough was hired by the World Entertainment News Network news agency as the News Editor in London by CEO Jonathan Ashby. During that time he worked alongside former Sun reporter and author Bill Coles.
James Desborough is a British reporter, formerly of the News of the World
. In 2001 Desborough was news editor at the World Entertainment News Network
(WENN). He left WENN following comprehensively-documented allegations in an article published by Salon.com
that he'd fabricated a quote by Sir George Martin relating to the health of George Harrison
.
In 2000 Desborough was hired by the World Entertainment News Network news agency as the News Editor in London by CEO Jonathan Ashby. During that time he worked alongside former Sun reporter and author Bill Coles. In 2001 Desborough was offered a job at the Sunday People tabloid newspaper as a show business reporter. During his notice period Desborough found himself at the center of a media storm involving producer George Martin and former Beatle George Harrison.
WENN sold a story to the Mail On Sunday newspaper claiming Martin said Harrison was close to death. The interview was conducted by WENN reporter Christian Koch. The story appeared under the byline of Katie Nicholl in the Mail On Sunday on July 22 headline reading: “George Harrison Is Close to Death Says ’5th Beatle’ Martin,”. After the story appeared in the Mail On Sunday was reported Martin denied giving quotes about Harrison. An article about the controversy was written on salon.com by Martin Lewis, who printed quotes from Desborough.
Desborough denied ever speaking to Martin Lewis. Desborough was advised not to comment on the story at the time by executives at his new employers Mirror Group News - owners of The People. Chronically ill Harrison, battling cancer, passed away 151 days later. Subsequent books, documentaries and Martin Scorsese’s 2011 documentary Living In The Material World detail how Harrison was gravely ill in his final few months alive.
He was subsequently awarded the ""can we hear the tape?" award for verbatim quotes" at the Shafta Awards
by fellow tabloid reporters as a result of this piece. He then became a reporter for the Sunday People.
Desborough worked at The People from 2001 to 2005. He wrote stories on a series of major stars including Simon Cowell, Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams, (Reference : http://www.people.co.uk/archive/other/2004/03/14/cowell-the-10m-diamonds-divorcee-102039-14049999/) (Reference:http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROBBIE%27S+FYFFES+IN+A+BED!%3B+Hunky+star+stripped,+unzipped+his+banana...-a0106452453)
(Reference:
In 2004 Desborough was promoted to the role of TV Editor. He covered a series of reality shows and soapfor the newspaper including Big Brother, I’m A Celebrity and Celebrity Love Island. Desborough travelled to Fiji with ITV to cover the first two weeks of the reality show. (reference: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CELEB+HATE+ISLAND%3B+Paradise+reality+show+becomes+a+nest+of+vipers+and...-a0132658785)
(Reference: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lizzy+Bardsley%3F+I+wouldn%27t+touch+her+wide+a*%26!+if+she+was+the+last...-a0127136016)
In 2005, he moved to the News of the World where he was a showbusiness and news reporter.
In 2005 Desborough joined the News Of The World as a showbusiness news reporter. Desborough covered a series of major stories for the newspaper including Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor and Take That’s comeback.
From 2006 Desborough worked for the newspaper covering Paul McCartney’s split with second wife Heather Mills.
Desborough interviewed Mills’ former manager Michele Elyzabeth, who delivered a two week expose on Mills’ conduct toward McCartney and her secret ploys to tarnish the rock star’s reputation with the public. Elyzabeth told Desborough that Mills was “a lying witch”, who misled the public over McCartney’s financial donations to her and daughter Bea during their separation. (Reference: http://www.gigwise.com/news/45879/expublicist-money-was-heather-mills-motivation-for-marrying-sir-pa)ul-mccartney
In 2007 he conducted an interview with Britney Spears’ bodyguard Tony Barreto talking about the pop star’s long running drug and alcohol problems. After the story came out, a Californian judge handed over custody of the kids to her separated husband Kevin Federline. (Reference: http://www.hecklerspray.com/britney-spears-bodyguard-britney-scares-kids-by-crying-farting/200710163.php)
In 2008, Desborough wrote a two week expose of Sharon Osbourne through the eyes of her brother David Arden. Arden made a series of allegations against Sharon including how she tried to allegedly fix The X Factor, secretly resented Simon Cowell and wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds on furniture, clothes and homes.
(Reference: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-480855/Sharon-Osbourne-X-plodes-My-ex-convict-brother)
Desborough did an interview with Amy Winehouse's former boyfriend, Alex Haines, in 2008, detailing her addictions to crack and marijuana. Haines chillingly admitted that Winehouse planned to join “The 27 Club” – the list of famous musicians who died at the age of 27. Winehouse died at the age of 27 in July 2011.
(Reference: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/28/alex-haines-talks-amy-win_n_153762.html)
In March 2009, Desborough was awarded The Showbiz Reporter of The Year Award at the British Press Awards. He was presented the award by Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow at the ceremony held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.(Reference: http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=43455)
Soon after News Of The World editor Colin Myler promoted Desborough to the role of US Editor.
He moved to the US in June 2009, a few days before pop star Michael Jackson died of a cardiac arrest caused by a drug overdose in Los Angeles.
Desborough spent most of his two year tenure publishing stories about the death of Jackson and the criminal trial of his doctor Conrad Murray.
In July 2009, Desborough interviewed Jackson’s sister LaToya Jackson, who told him “Michael Jackson was murdered”. (Reference : http://www.rightcelebrity.com/?p=6252). Desborough appeared on CBS TV show Entertainment Tonight discussing the interview. (Reference: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4211922/)
Desborough generated more headlines for The News Of The World when Michael’s father Joe Jackson blamed his wife Katherine for the death of their son.(Reference: http://www.popeater.com/2010/06/14/joe-jackson-katherine-jackson/)
Other exclusives which Desborough printed in The News of The World included the first picture of the bedroom and chaotic scene where Jackson died, reports from the paramedics that Jackson was dead before they arrived and hospital emergency room doctors confirming Murray withheld details of Jackson’s Propofol intake when they treated him. (Reference: http://www.anorak.co.uk/218693/celebrities/michael-jacksons-death-bed-shroud-and-secret-funeral-pictures.html/) (Reference: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/jackson-was-dead-an-hour-before-paramedics-arrived_1113015) (Reference: http://www.positivelymichael.com/forums/showthread.php?11841-MJ-feared-he-had-heart-condition-cancer-and-brain-tumor) (Reference: http://xxserenityxdreamsxx.blogspot.com/2011/04/michael-jackson-killed-by-mr-x-article.html) (reference: http://mjl.lefora.com/2010/02/21/i-trust-doc-with-my-life/)
Desborough revealed how Jackson’s mental and physical state was poor in his last weeks alive. He revealed he needed a golf cart to get him on stage and even used a double for rehearsals.
Desborough’s information and stories emerged during testimonies in the 2011 involuntary manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray in Los Angeles. (Reference: http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1268358)
Desborough wrote several front page stories on golfer Tiger Woods’ long running affairs. He interviewed Orlando waitress Mindy Lawton, who discussed how Tiger started their affair when wife Elin Nordegren was pregnant. He revealed how the couple were to divorce and how the golfer continued seeing ex mistress Rachel Uchitel after the cheating scandal broke publicly. (Reference: www.huffingtonpost.com/.../mindy-lawton-tiger-woods_n_381573..)
Desborough reported on California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s secret affair with his housekeeper Mildred “Patty” Baena. He published the first pictures of his secret son Joseph at family functions.
Desborough has appeared as a contributor and expert on many TV shows around the world.
He has made a series of appearances on E! News throughout 2011 talking about the British Royal Wedding of Prince William and Princess Katherine. On the day of the Royal Wedding, April 29, 2011, Desborough was featured as a guest correspondent in the E! News studio with host Ryan Seacrest and former Spice Girl Mel B. Additionally, he appeared on a live E! News special with E! host Catt Sadler as the newly wed Royals landed in Los Angeles on their North American tour of Canada and Southern California in June 2011. Following up on the hype of Katherine and Pippa Middleton, Desborough was a guest contributor on the "E! True Hollywood Story: Kate & Pippa" which aired on October 12, 2011.
Desborough has appeared on TV specials in America about Charlie Sheen for 2011's Charlie Sheen's Hollywood Black Book presented by TV journalist Ian Halperin and TV Guide's Showbiz 411. He was an in studio guest for the Hollywood 411 Royal Wedding Special Edition in April 2011.
Desborough has also appeared on CBS flagship show Entertainment Tonight talking about the Michael Jackson murder investigation and his interviews with LaToya and Joe Jackson.
In England Desborough regularly appeared on entertainment shows on radio and television. He has been a guest on numerous showbiz programs for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky One. He has appeared in international specials on The Biography Channel providing insight on Sharon Osbourne and Colin Farrell.
Desborough has been a co-presenter and an in-studio expert for many BBC Radio 5 Live reports, phone-in shows and live on-air broadcasts which have played around the globe. He has continued his radio show apparences in the U.S. as well. Throughout 2011 he has been on syndicated radio networks across the U.S. covering subjects like The Royal Wedding and Amy Winehouse's shocking death.
(Reference: http://news.lalate.com/2011/05/23/arnold-schwarzenegger-love-child-pictures-obtained-by-news-of-the-world)
In 2009 he was named "showbiz reporter of the year" at the British Press Awards
. He was promoted to be the paper's U.S. editor later that year and was the 13th person to be arrested as part of the phone hacking scandal. He became the first Murdoch employee arrested in the scandal to have worked for Murdoch in the USA subsequent to the matters that occasioned his arrest. On August 18 Desborough was arrested by officers from Operation Weating on suspicion of phone hacking.
Newspaper reports confirmed that Desborough’s arrest was printed on the Guardian’s news website, before it actually took place.
Later that day an officer from Operation Weeting was arrested at his desk over suspicions of leaks to the media.
On August 19 Desborough’s criminal solicitor Julian Young, of Julian Young And Co., in Marylebone, London issued a statement about the matter.
Mr Young commented: “James Desborough was arrested on August 18th after he attended a South
London police station voluntarily and by appointment with his Solicitor, Julian Young.
“He was interviewed for a number of hours and cooperated fully with the police in their
investigations. He denied, and continues to deny, any conspiracy to unlawfully intercept
voice mails or acting unlawfully in any way.“ (reference: inforrm.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/press_release1.pdf)
On August 19 Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, head of the Operation Weeting inquiry into alleged phone hacking at the News of the World, said: "I made very clear the need for operational and information security.
"It is hugely disappointing that this may not have been adhered to."
When asked if payments were made to police, the newspaper said in a statement: "In common with all news organizations we have no comment to make on the sources of our journalism." (reference: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3763115/Guardian-cop-arrest-disappointing-say-Met.html)
Barking & Dagenham Post
The Barking & Dagenham Post is a weekly local newspaper in the area of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham. It is published by Archant.The paper was originally called the Dagenham Post and some older residents of its distribution area still refer to it by this name...
as a news reporter in 1994. The newspaper’s other famous past reporters include Phil Hall, who later became the editor of The News of The World.
In 1995 Desborough moved to Channel One TV – the Daily Mail parent group Associated Newspaper’s ill fated effort into local television. The station was a cable only news and entertainment channel. Its senior executives included Nick Pollard, who later went on to head up Sky News, ITN news editor Peter Wallace and New York Daily News Editor Martin Dunn. After starting on the Newsdesk he was promoted to entertainment reporter and later Showbiz Editor.
Desborough worked for the channel’s daily entertainment show The Biz, presented by Julia Caesar. During his time there he produced special programmes and feature length interviews on Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Full Monty and Bon Jovi.
Desborough produced and presented specials on the film industry. The channels’ other well known reporters included Thomas Moore and Paul Brennan, who both now work at Sky News, TV host Ruth England and BBC Sports host Chris Hollins.
After Channel One TV closed in 1998 Desborough worked as a continuity host for ITV2 and presented a late night ITV1 London series Wired, which covered London’s social scene.
Desborough worked as a freelancer diary reporter on the London showbiz and social scene from 1999 to 2000.
In 2000 Desborough was hired by the World Entertainment News Network news agency as the News Editor in London by CEO Jonathan Ashby. During that time he worked alongside former Sun reporter and author Bill Coles.
James Desborough is a British reporter, formerly of the News of the World
News of the World
The News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations...
. In 2001 Desborough was news editor at the World Entertainment News Network
World Entertainment News Network
World Entertainment News Network is a 24/7 global entertainment text and photo wire services provider headquartered in London with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and Berlin....
(WENN). He left WENN following comprehensively-documented allegations in an article published by Salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
that he'd fabricated a quote by Sir George Martin relating to the health of George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
.
In 2000 Desborough was hired by the World Entertainment News Network news agency as the News Editor in London by CEO Jonathan Ashby. During that time he worked alongside former Sun reporter and author Bill Coles. In 2001 Desborough was offered a job at the Sunday People tabloid newspaper as a show business reporter. During his notice period Desborough found himself at the center of a media storm involving producer George Martin and former Beatle George Harrison.
WENN sold a story to the Mail On Sunday newspaper claiming Martin said Harrison was close to death. The interview was conducted by WENN reporter Christian Koch. The story appeared under the byline of Katie Nicholl in the Mail On Sunday on July 22 headline reading: “George Harrison Is Close to Death Says ’5th Beatle’ Martin,”. After the story appeared in the Mail On Sunday was reported Martin denied giving quotes about Harrison. An article about the controversy was written on salon.com by Martin Lewis, who printed quotes from Desborough.
Desborough denied ever speaking to Martin Lewis. Desborough was advised not to comment on the story at the time by executives at his new employers Mirror Group News - owners of The People. Chronically ill Harrison, battling cancer, passed away 151 days later. Subsequent books, documentaries and Martin Scorsese’s 2011 documentary Living In The Material World detail how Harrison was gravely ill in his final few months alive.
He was subsequently awarded the ""can we hear the tape?" award for verbatim quotes" at the Shafta Awards
Shafta Awards
The Shafta Awards are British awards given annually for "the very worst in tabloid journalism". They were established in 1987 following a Daily Star story "Princess Margaret to appear in Crossroads" by Geoff Baker and Pat Codd, in honour of which they are also known as the "Princess Margaret Awards"...
by fellow tabloid reporters as a result of this piece. He then became a reporter for the Sunday People.
Desborough worked at The People from 2001 to 2005. He wrote stories on a series of major stars including Simon Cowell, Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams, (Reference : http://www.people.co.uk/archive/other/2004/03/14/cowell-the-10m-diamonds-divorcee-102039-14049999/) (Reference:http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROBBIE%27S+FYFFES+IN+A+BED!%3B+Hunky+star+stripped,+unzipped+his+banana...-a0106452453)
(Reference:
In 2004 Desborough was promoted to the role of TV Editor. He covered a series of reality shows and soapfor the newspaper including Big Brother, I’m A Celebrity and Celebrity Love Island. Desborough travelled to Fiji with ITV to cover the first two weeks of the reality show. (reference: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CELEB+HATE+ISLAND%3B+Paradise+reality+show+becomes+a+nest+of+vipers+and...-a0132658785)
(Reference: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lizzy+Bardsley%3F+I+wouldn%27t+touch+her+wide+a*%26!+if+she+was+the+last...-a0127136016)
In 2005, he moved to the News of the World where he was a showbusiness and news reporter.
In 2005 Desborough joined the News Of The World as a showbusiness news reporter. Desborough covered a series of major stories for the newspaper including Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor and Take That’s comeback.
From 2006 Desborough worked for the newspaper covering Paul McCartney’s split with second wife Heather Mills.
Desborough interviewed Mills’ former manager Michele Elyzabeth, who delivered a two week expose on Mills’ conduct toward McCartney and her secret ploys to tarnish the rock star’s reputation with the public. Elyzabeth told Desborough that Mills was “a lying witch”, who misled the public over McCartney’s financial donations to her and daughter Bea during their separation. (Reference: http://www.gigwise.com/news/45879/expublicist-money-was-heather-mills-motivation-for-marrying-sir-pa)ul-mccartney
In 2007 he conducted an interview with Britney Spears’ bodyguard Tony Barreto talking about the pop star’s long running drug and alcohol problems. After the story came out, a Californian judge handed over custody of the kids to her separated husband Kevin Federline. (Reference: http://www.hecklerspray.com/britney-spears-bodyguard-britney-scares-kids-by-crying-farting/200710163.php)
In 2008, Desborough wrote a two week expose of Sharon Osbourne through the eyes of her brother David Arden. Arden made a series of allegations against Sharon including how she tried to allegedly fix The X Factor, secretly resented Simon Cowell and wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds on furniture, clothes and homes.
(Reference: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-480855/Sharon-Osbourne-X-plodes-My-ex-convict-brother)
Desborough did an interview with Amy Winehouse's former boyfriend, Alex Haines, in 2008, detailing her addictions to crack and marijuana. Haines chillingly admitted that Winehouse planned to join “The 27 Club” – the list of famous musicians who died at the age of 27. Winehouse died at the age of 27 in July 2011.
(Reference: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/28/alex-haines-talks-amy-win_n_153762.html)
In March 2009, Desborough was awarded The Showbiz Reporter of The Year Award at the British Press Awards. He was presented the award by Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow at the ceremony held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.(Reference: http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=43455)
Soon after News Of The World editor Colin Myler promoted Desborough to the role of US Editor.
He moved to the US in June 2009, a few days before pop star Michael Jackson died of a cardiac arrest caused by a drug overdose in Los Angeles.
Desborough spent most of his two year tenure publishing stories about the death of Jackson and the criminal trial of his doctor Conrad Murray.
In July 2009, Desborough interviewed Jackson’s sister LaToya Jackson, who told him “Michael Jackson was murdered”. (Reference : http://www.rightcelebrity.com/?p=6252). Desborough appeared on CBS TV show Entertainment Tonight discussing the interview. (Reference: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4211922/)
Desborough generated more headlines for The News Of The World when Michael’s father Joe Jackson blamed his wife Katherine for the death of their son.(Reference: http://www.popeater.com/2010/06/14/joe-jackson-katherine-jackson/)
Other exclusives which Desborough printed in The News of The World included the first picture of the bedroom and chaotic scene where Jackson died, reports from the paramedics that Jackson was dead before they arrived and hospital emergency room doctors confirming Murray withheld details of Jackson’s Propofol intake when they treated him. (Reference: http://www.anorak.co.uk/218693/celebrities/michael-jacksons-death-bed-shroud-and-secret-funeral-pictures.html/) (Reference: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/jackson-was-dead-an-hour-before-paramedics-arrived_1113015) (Reference: http://www.positivelymichael.com/forums/showthread.php?11841-MJ-feared-he-had-heart-condition-cancer-and-brain-tumor) (Reference: http://xxserenityxdreamsxx.blogspot.com/2011/04/michael-jackson-killed-by-mr-x-article.html) (reference: http://mjl.lefora.com/2010/02/21/i-trust-doc-with-my-life/)
Desborough revealed how Jackson’s mental and physical state was poor in his last weeks alive. He revealed he needed a golf cart to get him on stage and even used a double for rehearsals.
Desborough’s information and stories emerged during testimonies in the 2011 involuntary manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray in Los Angeles. (Reference: http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1268358)
Desborough wrote several front page stories on golfer Tiger Woods’ long running affairs. He interviewed Orlando waitress Mindy Lawton, who discussed how Tiger started their affair when wife Elin Nordegren was pregnant. He revealed how the couple were to divorce and how the golfer continued seeing ex mistress Rachel Uchitel after the cheating scandal broke publicly. (Reference: www.huffingtonpost.com/.../mindy-lawton-tiger-woods_n_381573..)
Desborough reported on California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s secret affair with his housekeeper Mildred “Patty” Baena. He published the first pictures of his secret son Joseph at family functions.
Desborough has appeared as a contributor and expert on many TV shows around the world.
He has made a series of appearances on E! News throughout 2011 talking about the British Royal Wedding of Prince William and Princess Katherine. On the day of the Royal Wedding, April 29, 2011, Desborough was featured as a guest correspondent in the E! News studio with host Ryan Seacrest and former Spice Girl Mel B. Additionally, he appeared on a live E! News special with E! host Catt Sadler as the newly wed Royals landed in Los Angeles on their North American tour of Canada and Southern California in June 2011. Following up on the hype of Katherine and Pippa Middleton, Desborough was a guest contributor on the "E! True Hollywood Story: Kate & Pippa" which aired on October 12, 2011.
Desborough has appeared on TV specials in America about Charlie Sheen for 2011's Charlie Sheen's Hollywood Black Book presented by TV journalist Ian Halperin and TV Guide's Showbiz 411. He was an in studio guest for the Hollywood 411 Royal Wedding Special Edition in April 2011.
Desborough has also appeared on CBS flagship show Entertainment Tonight talking about the Michael Jackson murder investigation and his interviews with LaToya and Joe Jackson.
In England Desborough regularly appeared on entertainment shows on radio and television. He has been a guest on numerous showbiz programs for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky One. He has appeared in international specials on The Biography Channel providing insight on Sharon Osbourne and Colin Farrell.
Desborough has been a co-presenter and an in-studio expert for many BBC Radio 5 Live reports, phone-in shows and live on-air broadcasts which have played around the globe. He has continued his radio show apparences in the U.S. as well. Throughout 2011 he has been on syndicated radio networks across the U.S. covering subjects like The Royal Wedding and Amy Winehouse's shocking death.
(Reference: http://news.lalate.com/2011/05/23/arnold-schwarzenegger-love-child-pictures-obtained-by-news-of-the-world)
In 2009 he was named "showbiz reporter of the year" at the British Press Awards
British Press Awards
The British Press Awards is an annual ceremony that celebrates the best of British journalism. Established in the 1970s, honours are voted on by a panel of journalists and newspaper executives...
. He was promoted to be the paper's U.S. editor later that year and was the 13th person to be arrested as part of the phone hacking scandal. He became the first Murdoch employee arrested in the scandal to have worked for Murdoch in the USA subsequent to the matters that occasioned his arrest. On August 18 Desborough was arrested by officers from Operation Weating on suspicion of phone hacking.
Newspaper reports confirmed that Desborough’s arrest was printed on the Guardian’s news website, before it actually took place.
Later that day an officer from Operation Weeting was arrested at his desk over suspicions of leaks to the media.
On August 19 Desborough’s criminal solicitor Julian Young, of Julian Young And Co., in Marylebone, London issued a statement about the matter.
Mr Young commented: “James Desborough was arrested on August 18th after he attended a South
London police station voluntarily and by appointment with his Solicitor, Julian Young.
“He was interviewed for a number of hours and cooperated fully with the police in their
investigations. He denied, and continues to deny, any conspiracy to unlawfully intercept
voice mails or acting unlawfully in any way.“ (reference: inforrm.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/press_release1.pdf)
On August 19 Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, head of the Operation Weeting inquiry into alleged phone hacking at the News of the World, said: "I made very clear the need for operational and information security.
"It is hugely disappointing that this may not have been adhered to."
When asked if payments were made to police, the newspaper said in a statement: "In common with all news organizations we have no comment to make on the sources of our journalism." (reference: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3763115/Guardian-cop-arrest-disappointing-say-Met.html)