i think it was 250,000 plus expenses plus litigation costs, something like that. lastly, this was in the context in the first half of 2008, and this was my first real involvement with any of these issues, where there was no reason at the time to believe that the issue of the voice mail interceptions was anything but a settled matter. and i and that it was in the past after the successful prosecution of the two individuals we discussed as well as the resignation of the editor. so the settlement, the out of court settlement was made in that context and it was within the authorities, as i understood it, of news international to be able to make those out of court settlements in due course without going to the global level company. i at the time was the regional head for europe and asia of news corporation, and i directed that
that the issue of the voice mail interceptions was anything but a settled matter. and i and that it was in the past after the successful prosecution of the two individuals we discussed as well as the resignation of the editor. so the settlement, the out of court settlement was made in that context and it was within the authorities, as i understood it, of news international to be able to make those out of court settlements in due course without going to the global level company. i at the time was the regional head for europe and asia of news corporation, and i directed that it was all right to settle that, but did not get involved in any of the negotiations directly about that settlement, but i do but i do recall in 2008 that those are the things that were known. can i just add my son had
i was there and this was a matter in the past. and the police as well, had closed their case and said there was no new evidence here that he had context of it was that it was about events that were a year or more old, the under like activity, prior to that and that was where we were. was part of the advice given, the high payment would ensure the matter would be kept confidential. no, not at all. the confidential nature of an out of court settlement is a normal thing. i don t know of many out of court settlements that are not kept confidential and there are some, i m sure but there was nothing about confidentiality. i think i understand where are going with this, but, no, the amount paid and the advice there was on resting on advice from outside counsel, with respect to the amount we d be expected to pay in damages plus expenses and litigation costs. did you question why such high payments were made to
certainly no new evidence was made aware to me, in the absence of any new evidence to this, this was simply a matter that was due to events that came to light in 2007 and before i was there and this was a matter and the police as well had closed their case and said there was no new evidence here. so the context of it was that it was about events that were a year or more old, that underlying activities prior to that, and that was where we were. was part of the advice given that the high payment would ensure the matter was kept confidential? no, not at all. the confidential nature of an out of court settlement is a normal thing. i don t know of many out of court settlements that are not kept confidential. there are some, i m sure. but there was nothing about confidentiality. i think i understand where you re going with this, mr. sanders. but, no, the amount paid and the advice there was on resting on
issues and there was no reason at the time to believe that the issue of the voice mail interceptions was anything but a settled matter, and, that it was in the past, after the successful prosecution of the two individuals we discussed as well as the resignation of the editor. so, the settlement, the out of court settlement was made in that context and it was within the authorities as i understand it as i understood it, of news international, to be able to make those out of court settlements in due course, without going to the global level company. i at the time was the regional head for europe and asia of news corporation and i directed that it was all right to settle that, but did not get involved in any of the negotiations directly about that settlement but i do, you know, recall in 2008 those are the things that were known. i would just add, my son had