Phone Hacking Scandal: From Mensch To Murdoch... The Winners And The Losers

Phone Hacking Scandal: The Winners And Losers
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It was a year that saw Sunday's biggest-selling British tabloid brought to its knees and the Murdochs compared with the mafia.

As the phone hacking scandal forced The News Of The World to close, the revelations blew the lid on years of questionable connections and shady practices. It was a scandal that seemingly went right to the top.

Rupert Murdoch was left battling to save his media empire and Rebekah Brooks went from being chief of one of the most powerful newspaper companies in the world to facing trial for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

But while phone hacking destroyed some careers, for others it became an opportunity.

Both Tom Watson and Louise Mensch were plunged into the spotlight by the revelations and both have had praised heaped on them for their handling of the crisis. From PR disasters to political promotion, take a look at the gallery of major players below.

Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(01 of11)
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Rebekah Brooks went from chief of most powerful newspaper company to facing trial for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Her appearance at Leveson also revealed a number of embarrassing correspondances between herself and senior politicians (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(02 of11)
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Rupert Murdoch: got pie on his face almost from day one. Saw his most profitable British newspaper close, leaving News International's reputation in tatters. His company News Corp now faces probes in three corners of the globe and Murdoch has revealed he won't be investing further in Britain anytime soon (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(03 of11)
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James Murdoch hasn't had a year to remember fondly. In addition to endless hours of public grilling at Leveson, in April it was announced he was standing down as chairman of BskyB. (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(04 of11)
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Louise Mensch has been named as the "surprise star" of the phone hacking scandal after her persisitent questioning of James and Rupert Murdoch during a parliamentary inquiry. The Corby MP has become known for her combative style, even rowing with Piers Morgan over the scandal live on air. (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(05 of11)
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Jeremy Hunt has been sailing into trouble over his role as Culture Secretary and links between his special advisor Adam Smith and lobbiest Frederic Michel. He was pushed into a corner during Leveson about whether or not he had been misleading about his contacts with News Corp. (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(06 of11)
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Jonnie Marbles. A one hit wonder in many ways. After slapping a pie in the face of Rupert Murdoch at the select committee hearing Mr Marbles aka Jonathan May-Bowles has been jailed and blogged for the Huffington Post UK http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/tag/jonnie-marbles (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(07 of11)
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The phone hacking enquiry has plunged Labour MP Tom Watson into the spotlight after he too dared to take on the Murdoch family, even comparing James to a a Mafia boss" for his style of leadership. The renegade blogger has also published a revelatory tome on the scandal "Dial M for Murdoch" (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(08 of11)
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David Cameron: Set up Leveson inquiry to show public he was taking action over phone hacking. But the move has so far been a PR disaster for the PM, from revelations he texted Rebekah Brooks LOL to him riding one of her horses. (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(09 of11)
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Andy Coulson. The former spin doctor to David Cameron (and editor of NotW) has struggled to muster up a positive headline. Things took a turn for the worse in May when he was detailed and driven by police to Glasgow where he was changed with perjury in the Tommy Sheridan case. (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(10 of11)
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Lawyer Mark Lewis, who represents Milly Dowler's parents, put the pressure on some of Britain's most high profile players, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch.The last year has seen the solicitor praised for his honesty and tenacity and the subject of numerous interviews. He was paid £230,000 in damages after Scotland Yard claimed he was wrong to insist there was more than "one rogue reporter" responsible for phone hacking at NOTW. And who could forget the orange coat he wore to Leveson? (credit:PA)
Phone Hacking Timeline: Major Players(11 of11)
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Colin Myler was the face of the closure of NotWl who came out fighting. Since editing the final edition he's started work in New York as editor of the New York Daily News and has joined forces with Tom Crone to launch a stinging attack on James Murdoch over the phone hacking affair. (credit:PA)