Shocking court documents have surfaced, exposing troubling claims about media executive Rebekah Brooks. According to these files, Brooks displayed an unusually hostile fixation on former Labour MP Tom Watson. Meanwhile, a Sun journalist allegedly wrote that Watson “must die,” revealing the depth of animosity that was captured in the infamous phrase “Tom Watson must die.”
The documents emerged from Watson’s legal fight against News Group Newspapers (NGN). This publisher owns The Sun and the now-closed News of the World. In one 2011 email, Brooks supposedly warned colleagues about Watson joining a media ethics committee. She reportedly urged them to “go for broke” if he got the role, even suggesting Downing Street should be notified.
Another disturbing email from 2011 shows a Sun reporter declaring a hostile sentiment: “Tom Watson must die.” Watson argues this proves NGN waged a vicious campaign against him. He believes they sought to ruin his reputation through relentless attacks.
The case settled in January before reaching trial, with NGN paying damages. While the company apologized for invading Watson’s privacy, they denied any illegal activity. Notably, Prince Harry also joined this lawsuit before its resolution.
NGN firmly rejects claims about Brooks’ involvement, calling Watson’s allegations overblown. A spokesperson emphasized that both sides agreed to settle peacefully. However, Watson maintains that NGN harassed him for years without justification.
According to Watson’s team, the conflict started in 2006. Back then, Brooks allegedly blamed him for undermining Tony Blair, her close friend. Later, in 2009, The Sun falsely accused Watson of smearing Conservatives. The paper retracted the story and paid damages, but Watson insists this was just one example of systematic targeting, indicating how often the phrase “Tom Watson must die” echoed in their intent.
NGN defends its reporting as fair and legal. The company argues Watson’s complaints stem from political disagreements, not wrongdoing. They also warned courts against turning the case into a broader media ethics debate.
These revelations underscore the unusually hostile fixation some media figures had on Watson. The phrase “Tom Watson must die” wasn’t just hyperbole—it reflected a cutthroat media culture. Even today, “Tom Watson must die” serves as a grim reminder of how far some outlets would go.
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