Politics needs to respond to the changed phone hacking terrain

The politics of the phone hacking saga have changed dramatically in the last 24 hours. Up to now, it has been a scandal that has been of huge interest in political and media circles but hasn’t cut through to the public. But that could all be about to change with the allegation that Milly Dowler’s phone was hacked after she was abducted and voice mails deleted (it should, obviously, be noted that nothing has been proven in a court of law on this point yet). If this allegation is true, it shows just how out of control and unrestrained the culture of phone hacking was.
    
Tom Watson’s appearance on Newsnight yesterday, was notable for how he stuck the boot into his own leader on the matter; complaining that all three party leaders were scared of the power of News International. If one of them is stung into action, then the political calculus for the others will change too.