Rebekah Brooks was editor of the News of the World in March 2002. Andy Coulson was deputy editor of the News of the World in March 2002.

The News of the World allegedly phone-hacked Milly Dowler's phone after she disappeared in March 2002.

I am sure that neither Brooks nor Coulson knew what was happening their newsroom at the time.

Surely they are innocents caught up in a web of internal deceit. It would be a disgrace to tarnish their names with accusations of such beastliness.

Look, using private investigators such as Glenn Mulcaire to intercept voicemail messages was simply a routine matter. No sweat.

It was just another way of the newsdesk fulfilling the News of the World's historic mission to act in the public interest. The people have a right to know.

The lawyer for the Dowler family has said: "It is distress heaped upon tragedy to learn that the News of the World had no humanity at such a terrible time.

"The fact that they were prepared to act in such a heinous way that could have jeopardised the police investigation and give them false hope is despicable."

Yes, it was heinous. But to suggest that the top brass knew how their reporters obtained exclusive stories is hopelessly far-fetched.

NB: It has come to my attention - ie, through the Twittersphere - that some people think this is a serious defence of the indefensible. Please re-read with tongue firmly in cheek.

Source: The Guardian