Neville Thurlbeck

Neville Thurlbeck (born 7 October 1961) is a British journalist who worked for the tabloid newspaper News of the World for 21 years. He reached the position of news editor before returning to the position of chief reporter. Thurlbeck was arrested in April 2011 as part of Operation Weeting. Later Thurlbeck was among four ex-News of the World journalists to plead guilty to phone-hacking and was jailed along with Greg Miskiw. The newspaper’s former editor Andy Coulson was also jailed after a jury found him guilty. Before the News of the World, Thurlbeck worked as a reporter for the Today newspaper, as deputy news editor of the Western Mail and as chief reporter for the Harrow Observer.

Since leaving journalism in 2011, Thurlbeck has worked in the corporate communications sector. Since 2016, he has been the Director of Communications for the International Fur Federation, with responsibility for global communications in a sector worth $30 billion per year.{{Cite web | url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1518899/fur-trade-body-seeks-agency-global-fight-back-pr-campaign | title=Fur trade body seeks agency for global 'fight back' PR campaign}}

He also runs his own PR company Clear Vista Media.{{Cite web | url=http://www.clearvistamedia.com/ |title = ClearVista Media - London-based team of media and PR specialists}}

Education

Thurlbeck was educated at Bede Comprehensive School in Sunderland, followed by the University of Lancaster. Thurlbeck spent a few months living in Sudan teaching English in 1984.{{cite book|author=Neville Thurlbeck|title=Tabloid Secrets: The Stories Behind the Headlines at the World's Most Famous Newspaper|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UPbICAAAQBAJ&pg=PT198|date=12 May 2015|publisher=Biteback Publishing|isbn=978-1-84954-933-2|pages=198–}}

Career

In 1998 Thurlbeck was the newspaper journalist who 'outed' the Cabinet Minister Nick Brown as gay.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/media-its-a-dirty-old-world-1183990.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/media-its-a-dirty-old-world-1183990.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Media: It's a dirty old World – Arts & Entertainment |work=The Independent |location=UK |date=10 November 1998 |access-date=18 August 2011}} Thurlbeck also broke the story that Jeffrey Archer had committed perjury during his 1987 libel case against the Daily Star. The scoop won Thurlbeck three industry awards{{cite news |title=Thurlbeck steps back at News of the World |author=Ciar Byrne |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/apr/09/newsoftheworld.pressandpublishing |newspaper=The Guardian|date=9 April 2003 |access-date=29 September 2011}} including Scoop of the Year 1999 from the London Press Club.{{cite web |url=http://londonpressclub.co.uk/what-we-do/annual-awards/award-winners/ |title=Scoop of the Year – for the best of the exclusives |date=26 September 2011 |publisher=London Press Club |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429174024/http://londonpressclub.co.uk/what-we-do/annual-awards/award-winners/ |archive-date=29 April 2011}}

At the turn of the millennium Thurlbeck, under the codename "George", acted as an "unpaid source" for the police. In return he received information from the Police National Computer which principally consisted of the previous convictions of various criminals.{{cite news |title=Phone hacking suspect was a police informer while working at News of the World |author=Tom Whitehead |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8647834/Phone-hacking-suspect-was-a-police-informer-while-working-at-News-of-the-World.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=19 July 2011 |access-date=29 September 2011}} In 2000 Thurlbeck and the police officer with whom he worked were cleared of corruption charges with regard to their working relationship.{{cite news |title=Too close for comfort? |author=Roy Greenslade |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/jul/24/newsoftheworld.pressandpublishing?INTCMP=SRCH |newspaper=The Guardian|date=24 July 2000 |access-date=29 September 2011}}

In 2001 Thurlbeck moved from his position as investigations news editor to become news editor.{{cite news |title=Shake up at News of the World |author=Jessica Hodgson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/jun/05/thepeople.newsoftheworld?INTCMP=SRCH |newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 June 2001 |access-date=29 September 2011}} He held the position for approximately two years before stepping down in 2003 to become chief reporter.

In 2004 Thurlbeck broke a story which alleged footballer David Beckham was having an affair.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1085521.htm |title=AM – Beckham's troubles multiply |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=18 August 2011}} This won him his second Scoop of the Year award at the British Press Awards, a record which remains unbeaten.{{Cite web | url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/neville-thurlbeck-joins-local-newspaper-as-theatre-critic/ |title = Neville Thurlbeck joins local newspaper as theatre critic - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage}} He was responsible for the exclusive over Max Mosley's private life which resulted in his newspaper being sued, paying £60,000 damages for the paper's breach of his privacy.{{cite web|author=Leigh Holmwood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jul/24/mosley.newsoftheworld1 |title=Max Mosley case: News of the World reporter Neville Thurlbeck under fire from judge | Media |work=The Guardian|location=UK |date=24 July 2008 |access-date=18 August 2011}} Mosley later suggested that Thurlbeck's methods were akin to blackmail, with the journalist telling women that "if you don't co-operate we will publish your pictures unpixellated."Lisa O'Carroll and Josh Halliday (24 September 2011) "[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/nov/24/leveson-inquiry-jk-rowling-sienna-miller-live Leveson inquiry: JK Rowling and Sienna Miller give evidence]". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2011.

Thurlbeck was dismissed from News International in September 2011 in the wake of the News International phone hacking scandal.{{cite news |title=News of the World reporter pulls out of unfair dismissal hearing |author=Lisa O'Carroll |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/sep/29/news-world-reporter-withdraws |newspaper=The Guardian|date=29 September 2011 |access-date=29 September 2011}} Thurlbeck says he did not receive the reason for his dismissal from his former employer but from the Metropolitan police. He denies the allegations which led to his sacking and is pursuing a claim of unfair dismissal against News International.{{cite news |title=Neville Thurlbeck's statement on his dismissal from News International |author=Neville Thurlbeck |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/sep/30/neville-thurlbeck-statement-news-international |newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 September 2011 |access-date=30 September 2011}} Thurlbeck had worked for News of the World for 21 years at the time of his dismissal.{{cite news |title=Neville Thurlbeck: from front page to centre stage |author=James Robinson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/sep/30/neville-thurlbeck |newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 September 2011 |access-date=30 September 2011}}

In July, 2017, it was revealed that Thurlbeck had won his case for unfair dismissal and had settled his claim amicably. His lawyer announced: "Neville Thurlbeck reached an agreement with News Group Newspapers Ltd to settle his Employment Tribunal claim amicably. This ended a very difficult and complex four years. He wishes News UK and all his former colleagues good fortune and a bright future. He will be issuing no further comment on this matter."{{Cite web | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/news-of-the-world-closed-six-years-ago-amid-phone-hacking-scandal-but-where-is-everyone-now_uk_595e1f52e4b0615b9e8f5b7a |title = HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media|date = 9 July 2017}}

It was announced on 17 February 2012 that Thurlbeck had become a theatre critic for the Surrey Comet newspaper.

On 12 April 2013 Thurlbeck launched TalentGB, which specialises in hosting the showreels of artistes of every genre. The company also acts as a PR adviser to several bands and singers. The company website is talentgb.com. Thurlbeck's role can be viewed at http://www.talentgb.com/content/team-talentgb {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520172706/http://talentgb.com/content/team-talentgb |date=20 May 2013 }}

In December 2014 Thurlbeck was made a director of The Retail Ombudsman. This decision was criticised in the Ombudsman Omnishambles report.{{Cite web | url=https://ombudsresearch.org.uk/resources/ |title = Resources and links|date = 9 July 2014}}

In 2014, he became Managing Director of PR company Clear Vista Media.

In 2016, he was appointed a director of the International Fur Federation, with responsibility for global communications for 39 member countries.{{Cite web | url=http://www.clearvistamedia.com/ |title = ClearVista Media - London-based team of media and PR specialists}}

Thurlbeck's memoir, Tabloid Secrets: The Stories Behind the Headlines at the World's Most Famous Newspaper was published in May 2015.

Awards

2005

British Press Awards. Scoop of the Year. Winner.

British Press Awards. Reporter of the Year. Runner-up.

London Press Club Awards. Scoop of the Year. Runner-up.

2004

Campaign Magazine Scoop of the Year. Winner.

2000

British Press Awards. Scoop of the Year. Winner.

What the Papers Say Awards. Scoop of the Year. Winner.

London Press Club Awards. Scoop of the Year. Winner.

Campaign Magazine Scoop of the Year Award. Winner.

1999

British Press Awards. Specialist Reporter of the Year. Runner-up.

1998

British Press Awards. Scoop of the Year. Runner-up.{{Cite web |url=http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Witness-Statement-of-Neville-Thurlbeck6.pdf |title=Bad Credit Payday Loans – 24/7, Everyone Accepted |access-date=22 January 2014 |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140122194019/http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Witness-Statement-of-Neville-Thurlbeck6.pdf |archive-date=22 January 2014 |url-status=unfit }}

News International phone hacking scandal

In 2009 Thurlbeck was reported as one of the journalists who had received transcripts of intercepted calls in the News International phone hacking scandal.{{cite news|date=15 July 2009 |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Senior-journalists-accused-in-phone.5459361.jp |title=Senior journalists accused in phone scandal |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |access-date=18 August 2011}} He was arrested by officers from Operation Weeting on 5 April 2011 after voluntarily attending a police interview.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12974401 |title=Phone-hacking inquiry: Two journalists arrested |publisher=BBC |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=18 August 2011}} He was bailed initially until September 2011 but bail was later extended until March 2012.{{cite news |title=Phone hacking: NoW journalist abandons salary bid |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15114372 |newspaper=BBC News |date=29 September 2011 |access-date=29 September 2011}}

It was announced by the Crown Prosecution Service in April 2012 that Thurlbeck would not be prosecuted over claims of witness intimidation.{{cite news |title=Phone hacking: Thurlbeck will not be prosecuted over intimidation claims|author= Josh Halliday|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/apr/27/phone-hacking-neville-thurlbeck-not-prosecuted|newspaper=The Guardian|date=27 April 2012|access-date=27 April 2012}} Thurlbeck was arrested in March 2012 by officers from Operation Weeting, on suspicion of intimidating a witness and encouraging or assisting an offence after he published the home address of an executive on News Corporation's management and standards committee on his website on 7 March. On 24 July, it was announced that Thurlbeck would be charged with conspiring to intercept communications and the unlawful interception of voicemail messages.{{cite news |title=Phone hacking: Phone hacking: The full charges against the seven News of the World journalists and Glenn Mulcaire |author= Martin Hickman|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/phone-hacking-the-full-charges-against-the-seven-news-of-the-world-journalists-and-glenn-mulcaire-7972880.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/phone-hacking-the-full-charges-against-the-seven-news-of-the-world-journalists-and-glenn-mulcaire-7972880.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Independent|date=25 July 2012|access-date=25 July 2012}}

His name appears in an e-mail from a News of the World reporter headed "for Neville" which contained transcripts of 35 voicemails.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/ian-burrell-how-an-email-for-neville-became-a-turning-point-2318551.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/ian-burrell-how-an-email-for-neville-became-a-turning-point-2318551.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Ian Burrell: How an email 'for Neville' became a turning point – Commentators, Opinion |work=The Independent |location=UK |date=22 July 2011 |access-date=18 August 2011}}

He was sentenced to 6 months in prison after he pleaded guilty at R v Coulson, Brooks and others.