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News of the World reporters sent to Telford factory in Milly Dowler inquiry
Tuesday 23rd August 2011, 11:20AM BST.
A MESSAGE LEFT on the phone of schoolgirl Milly Dowler suggested she could be working at a Telford factory at the time she was missing, it was revealed today.
The message indicated the 13-year-old was wanted for a job interview at the Epson plant in Hortonwood. It asked Milly to phone the firm back when she received the message.
It is not known whether the message was genuine or not, but it is claimed it was illegally intercepted by the News of the World which sent reporters to Telford.
The Wall Street Journal claims a team of at least eight reporters and photographers was sent to stake-out the factory for three days in April 2002.
It suggests the Sunday tabloid’s newsdesk believed Milly – who was later found murdered – had run away from home.
It is believed the paper’s former chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck – arrested in April by Scotland Yard on suspicion of phone hacking but yet to be charged – ordered the stake-out three weeks after Milly disappeared. The reporters were called back as it became clear Milly was not in Telford.
Early editions of the News of the World, the day after the operation ended, carried excerpts from messages on the teenager’s phone. One, at 10.13am on March 27, was traced back to the factory and said: “Hello Mandy. We are ringing because we have some interviews starting. Can you call me back?”
Chris Ammonds, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said they had no knowledge of the stake-out.
Scotland Yard today refused to comment.
A spokeswoman for Epson said the company did not wish to comment.
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