Phone-hacking judge attacks Private Eye as trial opens
The judge presiding over the phone-hacking case has singled out Private Eye for criticism ahead of the trial, as the jury was sworn in.
Mr Justice John Saunders warned British justice was on trial alongside Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson and that the jurywould have to ignore press commentary of the case.
He then specifically criticised Private Eye, after its new edition featured a photograph of Brooks on its front cover with the headline: "Halloween Edition: Horror Witch Costume Withdrawn From Shops."
The judge said: "Private Eye has seen fit today to put out their November edition… it bears a picture of Rebekah Brooks on the cover.
"It is meant to be satire. You ignore it; it has no serious input and it is not relevant to your considerations. It is one of those things that you will have to ignore, a joke that in the circumstances of today is a joke in exceptionally bad taste.
"It is only the views of you 12 that we want at the end of this trial."
He added: "The defendants are on trial but British justice is also on trial. It is a central principle of our system of trial by jury that you reach your verdicts only on the evidence heard in court. Where evidence is given in court that can be and will be tested.
"There has been a great deal of publicity about this case, perhaps an unprecedented amount. The internet is generally not controlled and often fuelled by opinion and speculation, a great deal of information is imparted and received by people through Facebook and Twitter.
"A significant amount of publicity has been inaccurate and misleading… offensive and demeaning to some of the defendants. A lot is ill-informed and most of it is abusive."
Brooks and Coulson are accused of conspiring with others to listen to voicemails.
The eight defendants deny the charges.
Andrew Edis QC will open the case for the prosecution on Wednesday.
