Mars-sized h/t to AnnetteK for finding this on MP Tom Watson's blog, Tom Watson MP:
Church of England Disinvests from News Corporation
August 7th, 2012 |
The Church Commissioners and the Church of England Pensions Board have today announced the sale of their shares in News Corporation on the advice of the Church’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG). The total shareholding sold was worth £1.9 million. As a result, none of the three national investing bodies of the Church of England hold shares in the company.
... After a year of dialogue between the company and the EIAG, the Church of England was not satisfied that News Corporation had shown, or is likely in the immediate future to show, a commitment to implement necessary corporate governance reform.
Andrew Brown, Secretary of the Church Commissioners, said: “Last year’s phone hacking allegations raised some serious concerns amongst the Church’s investing bodies about our holding in News Corporation. Our decision to disinvest was not one taken lightly and follows a year of continuous dialogue with the company, during which the EIAG put forward a number of recommendations around how corporate governance structures at News Corporation could be improved. However the EIAG does not feel that the company has brought about sufficient change and we have accepted its advice to disinvest.”
And here's the kicker:
The Church of England already excludes investment in companies involved in military products and services, pornography, alcoholic drinks, gambling, tobacco, human embryonic cloning and high interest rate lending.
You're joining an elite club, Rupert.
In other Murdochgate news, also thanks to AnnetteK, today there were 2 more arrests In Operation Elveden (bribery of police and public officials). From The Telegraph:
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: “A 37 year old male journalist was arrested at approx
06.00 hrs at his home in north London on suspicion of conspiracy to corrupt, contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 and the Criminal Law Act 1977 and conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public office, contrary to Common Law and the Criminal Law Act 1977. He is currently in custody at a north London police station.
“A 29-year-old police officer (Elveden arrest 43) was arrested at his home in Sussex at approx 06.00 hrs on suspicion of conspiracy to corrupt, contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 and the Criminal Law Act 1977, conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public Office, contrary to
Common Law and the Criminal Law Act 1977 and misconduct in a public office, contrary to Common Law. He is a serving officer with Sussex police and is currently in custody at a south London police station.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/...
Murdoch's corporation declined to say whether the journalist was a current or former employee.
Update 1:
From The Guardian, via ceebs in the comments, the CEO of News International is having a WATB fit about all these arrests!
News International's chief executive has expressed frustration with Scotland Yard after another Sun journalist was arrested by officers investigating alleged corrupt payments to officials.
In a strongly worded email to staff on Tuesday, chief executive Tom Mockridge complained that the Metropolitan police have ignored pleas from the company to ensure staff detained are treated in a dignified manner.
...
One source said that with his strongly worded email, Mockridge merely reflected continuing concern at the Sun that even those unaffected by the allegations are being forced to do their jobs in intolerable conditions. "There is absolutely no need for the Met to do it like this," one source said. "The mood here is very low; very grim."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/...
Don't worry, Mr. Mockridge -- help is on the way!