NOTW Computer Hacker Revealed

Philip Campbell Smith, the man at the centre of the News of the World (NOTW) computer hacking allegations, has been convicted of conspiring to illegally access private information for profit.

Legal restrictions around Smith's involvement were lifted yesterday revealing he allegedly hacked the computer of Ian Hurst, a former British Army intelligence officer, in 2006 as part of a commission for the News of the World. Smith claims he was in contact with former NOTW editor, Andy Coulson, and that he was in his mobile phone directory.

Smith's conviction has highlighted concerns that email hacking was used against several dozen targets. Officers from the Met are known to have approached leading members of the Labour Party, including Gordon Brown and Alastair Campbell, as possible victims.

Smith was arrested in 2009 but Hurst was not told his computer had been hacked until 2011. After finding out he had been hacked, via a 'trojan horse' virus sent to him by email which relayed information back to the hacker, Hurst made a recording in which Smith confessed.

Hurst claims that police missed opportunities to take action: "In 2007 they chose not to do anything about it, in 2009, after the arrest of Philip Campbell Smith, they came again into information that my computer had been hacked and chose again to do nothing. Even in 2011 they didn't seem that interested."

Smith is also alleged to have hacked the email of a former police officer who was acting as an informer known as Joe Poulton. Poulton had been providing information on private investigation firm, Southern Investigations, which Smith worked for.

During the Leveson inquiry Smith was referred to as 'X' due to another court case, for possession of three rounds of ammunition, which ended yesterday with Smith pleading guilty.

In another separate case Smith, along with three others, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.

(MH)