Say It Louder: July 2011

YOU are reading the world's greatest investigative newspaper. That may sound strange, after this week's revelations - but it's true.

After this, the last edition, lots of people will breathe that little bit easier. Hypocritical politicians, inner-city gangmasters and bent sportsmen.

For generations, the News of the World has been one of the most formidable forces in British public life, holding the rich and powerful to account.

But the newspaper itself made a grave mistake, employing private investigators who used deplorable methods. It has paid a full price for that mistake.

Some politicians will be privately delighted. They shouldn't be. They should instead ask: When this newspaper goes, what size of a hole will it leave?

When I was offered this column, almost five years ago, I tried not to think about the incredible people who had gone before me.

My predecessor was the Foreign Secretary, William Hague. Before him, some of the all-time greats: Alan Clark, Woodrow Wyatt. Even Winston Churchill.

Now and again, they may have come across someone daft enough to ask: Why are you writing for a tabloid? The answer to this question is simple.

The News of the World has never been just a newspaper. It is a part of the national fabric, campaigning relentlessly for its readers. "All human life is there" said the posters - and they were right.

As MPs will tell you, a story on Page 46 of the News of the World has more impact than a front page of a lesser paper.

No other newspaper has such impact. Its campaigns led to laws being changed: Sarah's Law and the Military Covenant being just two examples.

And why? Because the News of the World represented - and fought for - its readers, putting them ahead of any party political considerations. It gave voice and muscle to those often ignored by politicians, because they might live in a safe seat or a sink estate.

From the victims of knife crime to the welfare of the families of the Armed Forces - if it mattered to readers, it mattered to the News of the World.

When visiting this paper's offices, you walk past a montage of its front pages. Scoops which have punctuated British history. One of them denounces Robert Mugabe as 'The Black Hitler' long before it was clear the destruction his savage rule would wreak on Zimbabwe.

Then there are, of course, its world-famous exposés. Hugh Grant's call girl, Divine Brown. David Mellor, caught playing away. But the paper's power lay in its ability to address the toughest, grittiest subjects in Britain. And not giving a damn if this annoyed anyone in power.

As an outside columnist, I've been amazed at the freedom I've always been given. No 'party line' to take - ever. Freedom like that is increasingly rare. But even more rare has been the scale and ambition of this paper's investigations.

Reporters regularly put their lives on the line to expose the most dangerous criminals and, more often than not, jail them. Such investigations can mean risking huge resources in time and money.

But with the News of the World gone, who will now step into the breach? British newspapers are haemorrhaging readers and money, and axing expensive investigations. Creeping privacy laws make things even worse.

Just as in France, an idea is taking hold in Britain that the rich and powerful can now suppress secrets. Slowly, it's becoming a national joke.

At last week's Take That concert in Wembley, I watched Robbie Williams make this point - with a little poem he composed for the crowd.

"I did some coke, and slept with a whore.

But that's what a superinjunction is for!"

Only in Britain could a pop star say (as Robbie did): "Who wants to be my superinjunction tonight?" and watch the girls go wild.

This gag would be unthinkable in America, where freedom of the press is enshrined in the constitution. In Britain, these freedoms are being steadily eroded.

And our proud tradition of fearless investigatory journalism is being eroded along with it. It's a battle, and one the press is now losing.

No one can deny that, for this newspaper, the mortal blow was self-inflicted. But nor can anyone deny that the News of the World has been one of the most effective, popular and successful newspapers in world history.

As I was told when I joined: You don't work for this newspaper. You work for its readers.

And there is no greater honour.

"In terms of GDP, the UK is the sixth most wealthy country in the world. But our national balance sheet carries many liabilities. Our physical infrastructure is old. Our health service is creaking. Whilst the best of our education - especially higher education - is world-class, some of it is unforgivably awful
We are up to our ears in debt. The Exchequer is empty. The gold is gone. The post-dated cheques are accumulating interest. We are over-taxed. We have an under-class: poorly educated, poorly housed and unmotivated.

We are no longer an Empire, nor will be ever again. We are a shrinking military power. By choice, and with majority public approval, we are semi-detached members of the EU. And even America - for so long our closest ally who generally sees the world as we do - is turning her face to the East, as self-interest determines she must."
- Sir John Major