PCC claims it did respond to Dispatches with phone-hacking statement

This article was migrated from an old version of our website in 2025. As a result, it might have some low-quality images or non-functioning links - if there's any issues you'd like to see fixed, get in touch with us at info@journalism.co.uk.

The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) has said it did respond to Channel 4's Dispatches programme on allegations of phone hacking at the News of the World broadcast on Monday .

The programme, which focused on allegations surrounding Andy Coulson's time at News International, looked at the PCC's report into phone hacking published in November 2009 .

Dispatches said the PCC declined to comment and there was much criticism of the organisation's refusal from viewers on Twitter. But the commission has told Journalism.co.uk that it responded at length to the programme, issuing a similar statement as it did to Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger following the most recent allegations .

Speaking to Journalism.co.uk and echoing the stance given to Rusbridger last month, the PCC said it would not revisit its inquiry or launch fresh investigations until the end of any other legal proceedings or parliamentary committee investigations into the allegations.

"We made our position clear to Dispatches, but unfortunately they chose not to report it," a PCC spokeswoman told Journalism.co.uk.

"Given the ongoing police examination into allegations pre-2006, it is not appropriate for us to comment further at this time."

Channel 4 told Journalism.co.uk that it maintains that the PCC declined to comment.