LONDON: A whistleblower in Britain’s phone-hacking scandal, former News of the World reporter Sean Hoare, was found dead at his home Monday but there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances, police said.
Hoare alleged in interviews with The New York Times newspaper and the BBC last year that the tabloid’s former editor Andy Coulson, who went on to become press chief to British Prime Minister David Cameron, knew about voicemail hacking.
The 47-year-old was found dead early Monday at his home in Watford, north of London, Hertfordshire Police said in a statement.
“At 10.40am today police were called to Langley Road, Watford, following the concerns for welfare of a man who lives at an address on the street,” the force said.
“Upon police and ambulance arrival at a property, the body of a man was found. The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.
“The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but not thought to be suspicious.” — AFP