The alleged hacking of Milly Dowler’s phone by the News of the World is a story that has shocked many journalists; and we tend to be pretty hard-boiled.

Appallingly, it seems that journalists from that paper deleted messages in the days after Milly’s disappearance, raising false hopes among her relatives that she might still be alive.

The paper continues to be owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News International, which is now run by Rebekah Brooks, who was editor of the NoW when the alleged hacking took place.

At the time of writing, Brooks, who said it was ‘inconceivable’ she knew about the hacking, was refusing to resign.

Last Sunday the News of the World was among those continuing to rage against the ‘ruthless lawyers’ and ‘vicious cross-examinations’ to which the Dowler family was exposed during the trial of Levi Bellfield.

Breathtaking.

To its credit, the Bar Council is standing firm amid tabloid hysteria over the Bellfield trial, stressing that the right of an accused person to defend himself must be absolute.

Chair Peter Lodder QC was unequivocal on the subject, noting that the defence was ruled admissible and relevant by the judge.

Meanwhile, Murdoch’s News Corporation is poised to take full control of Sky - which, as we have noted before, has led an intense lobbying effort to open up the criminal justice system to television.

This week’s events have not strengthened its case.