The Insider: The Private Diaries of a Scandalous Decade
Encyclopedia
The Insider: The Private Diaries of a Scandalous Decade is a book written in diary
form by Piers Morgan
documenting his time as editor of the News of the World
and Daily Mirror. It was serialised by the Daily Mail
.
Although the book is presented in diary form many reviewers expressed scepticism that the diaries were actually composed during Morgan's tenure as a tabloid editor. Andrew Anthony of The Observer noted the use of the phrase "axis of evil
" in an entry two months prior to its use by George W. Bush
in his 2002 State of the Union address
. The phrase was removed from the subsequent paperback version. Most reviewers were of the opinion that the book was written after the fact at the suggestion of his literary agent and is, consequently, of little use to historians. Sam Leith of The Spectator
called the conversations, in particular, "imaginatively reconstructed — as betrayed in some very weird dialogue". David Smith of The Observer felt that the book's contents should "never...be swallowed without a spoonful of salt".
The Insider begins with an account of the story that ultimately resulted his dismissal from Daily Mirror, namely the publication, in 2004, of several photographs purporting to show the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by British troops but which were subsequently found to have been faked. Morgan also recounts a commiseratory dinner marking the paper's decision which was hosted by the Prime Minister and his wife at which Morgan was a guest. Other entries include an account of the theft of text from fellow News International
paper, The Sunday Times
, by Rebekah Wade and Morgan's later attempted theft of a leaked copy of the Hutton Report that was in the possession of Ms Wade. There are also accounts of various vendettas and feuds with which Morgan was involved. Andy McSmith felt that the entries concerning Rupert Murdoch and the functioning of his media empire were "some of the best passages in the book". Andy McSmith notes that Morgan "he does not spare himself or indulge in pointless self-justification" with regard to the mistakes that he made during his tenure as a tabloid editor, a view which was shared by Greg Dyke
writing in The Guardian.
Writing in The Guardian, Greg Dyke said that the lack of detail about Morgan's own private life, particularly with regard to his family set-up, is a limitation of the book. Sam Leith of The Spectator similarly lamented the absence of information concerning Marina Hyde
, a journalist with whom Morgan is rumoured to have had an affair. Leith regards David Yelland's firing of Hyde from The Sun to be an important part of Morgan's subsequent feud with the editor.
The Insider was well received by critics. Sam Leith of the The Spectator
called the stories "funny as hell and as morally discriminating as a rutting polecat". Andy McSmith called it "grippingly readable", while Andrew Anthony of the Observer said it was "cheerfully vitriolic". Sam Leith of the Spectator said of the book, "His memoir is historically negligible, analytically null, morally rudderless, sloppily edited, hopelessly written, boastful, whining, sentimental, thuggish and with all the fascination of a horrible accident. Just like a red-top newspaper on a good day."
An entry detailing the method alleged to have used by journalists at News of the World
to hack into the phones of unsuspecting victims was quoted by the MP Louise Mensch during the questioning of Rupert and James Murdoch by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in 2011. Ms Mensch then stated that Piers Morgan had not only engaged in phone hacking but had boasted that it had won him an award. Bloomberg Businessweek suggested that Mensch had "confuse[d] her source". Adding that the passage referred to Morgan's fear of having been hacked. Piers Morgan asked for Mensch to retract her comments calling them an "absolute, blatant lie". He further stated that "in my time at the News of the World and the Mirror, I have never hacked a phone, told anyone to hack a phone, or published any stories based on the hacking of a phone". After initially refusing, Mensch subsequently apologised saying that she had misread a newspaper article published in the Daily Telegraph which covered similar accusations against Morgan made by the political blogger Paul Staines
.
Diary
A diary is a record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. A personal diary may include a person's experiences, and/or thoughts or feelings, including comment on current events outside the writer's direct experience. Someone...
form by Piers Morgan
Piers Morgan
Piers Stefan Pughe-Morgan , known professionally as Piers Morgan, is a British journalist and television presenter. He is editorial director of First News, a national newspaper for children....
documenting his time as editor 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...
and Daily Mirror. It was serialised by the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
.
Although the book is presented in diary form many reviewers expressed scepticism that the diaries were actually composed during Morgan's tenure as a tabloid editor. Andrew Anthony of The Observer noted the use of the phrase "axis of evil
Axis of evil
"Axis of evil" is a term initially used by the former United States President George W. Bush in his State of the Union Address on January 29, 2002 and often repeated throughout his presidency, describing governments that he accused of helping terrorism and seeking weapons of mass destruction...
" in an entry two months prior to its use by George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
in his 2002 State of the Union address
State of the Union Address
The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of the United States to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and his national priorities.The practice arises...
. The phrase was removed from the subsequent paperback version. Most reviewers were of the opinion that the book was written after the fact at the suggestion of his literary agent and is, consequently, of little use to historians. Sam Leith of The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
called the conversations, in particular, "imaginatively reconstructed — as betrayed in some very weird dialogue". David Smith of The Observer felt that the book's contents should "never...be swallowed without a spoonful of salt".
The Insider begins with an account of the story that ultimately resulted his dismissal from Daily Mirror, namely the publication, in 2004, of several photographs purporting to show the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by British troops but which were subsequently found to have been faked. Morgan also recounts a commiseratory dinner marking the paper's decision which was hosted by the Prime Minister and his wife at which Morgan was a guest. Other entries include an account of the theft of text from fellow News International
News International
News International Ltd is the United Kingdom newspaper publishing division of News Corporation. Until June 2002, it was called News International plc....
paper, The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
, by Rebekah Wade and Morgan's later attempted theft of a leaked copy of the Hutton Report that was in the possession of Ms Wade. There are also accounts of various vendettas and feuds with which Morgan was involved. Andy McSmith felt that the entries concerning Rupert Murdoch and the functioning of his media empire were "some of the best passages in the book". Andy McSmith notes that Morgan "he does not spare himself or indulge in pointless self-justification" with regard to the mistakes that he made during his tenure as a tabloid editor, a view which was shared by Greg Dyke
Greg Dyke
Gregory "Greg" Dyke is a British media executive, journalist and broadcaster. Since the 1960s, Dyke has a long career in the UK in print and then broadcast journalism. He is credited with introducing 'tabloid' television to British broadcasting, and reviving the ratings of TV-am...
writing in The Guardian.
Writing in The Guardian, Greg Dyke said that the lack of detail about Morgan's own private life, particularly with regard to his family set-up, is a limitation of the book. Sam Leith of The Spectator similarly lamented the absence of information concerning Marina Hyde
Marina Hyde
Marina Hyde is an English columnist who writes articles on topics such as current affairs, politics, celebrity and sport for The Guardian newspaper...
, a journalist with whom Morgan is rumoured to have had an affair. Leith regards David Yelland's firing of Hyde from The Sun to be an important part of Morgan's subsequent feud with the editor.
The Insider was well received by critics. Sam Leith of the The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
called the stories "funny as hell and as morally discriminating as a rutting polecat". Andy McSmith called it "grippingly readable", while Andrew Anthony of the Observer said it was "cheerfully vitriolic". Sam Leith of the Spectator said of the book, "His memoir is historically negligible, analytically null, morally rudderless, sloppily edited, hopelessly written, boastful, whining, sentimental, thuggish and with all the fascination of a horrible accident. Just like a red-top newspaper on a good day."
An entry detailing the method alleged to have used by journalists at 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...
to hack into the phones of unsuspecting victims was quoted by the MP Louise Mensch during the questioning of Rupert and James Murdoch by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in 2011. Ms Mensch then stated that Piers Morgan had not only engaged in phone hacking but had boasted that it had won him an award. Bloomberg Businessweek suggested that Mensch had "confuse[d] her source". Adding that the passage referred to Morgan's fear of having been hacked. Piers Morgan asked for Mensch to retract her comments calling them an "absolute, blatant lie". He further stated that "in my time at the News of the World and the Mirror, I have never hacked a phone, told anyone to hack a phone, or published any stories based on the hacking of a phone". After initially refusing, Mensch subsequently apologised saying that she had misread a newspaper article published in the Daily Telegraph which covered similar accusations against Morgan made by the political blogger Paul Staines
Paul Staines
Paul Staines is an English-born Irish right-wing political blogger. Writer of the pseudonymous "Guido Fawkes' blog of parliamentary plots, rumours & conspiracy", which had as of February 2009, 118,000 visitors per month, his political blog has been described as "one of Britain's leading political...
.