Vodafone?
An ex Vodaphone man? Reminds me of this (the bugging of Greek ministers phones):
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/11/greek_mobile_wiretap_latest/
"The surveillance was done with a remarkable degree of sophistication, exploiting software developed by Ericsson, the Swedish manufacturer of the GSM cellular switches, which were used by Vodafone. Shortly before the bugging of the cellular system began, the telephone equipment maker had provided a software update to the computerized switches that route cell phone calls...."
"In Greece, the scandal only became known, in fact, because the snoopers themselves introduced a bug into the cell phone software that blocked delivery of text messages. Only then did Greek technicians check to see if anyone was listening in the electronic back door."
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I wonder how many illegal wiretaps & internet taps are done in the UK currently. I can see they want to eliminate the warrant, ....for-the-sake-of-the-children natch, but I bet there are quite a few taps on Internet connections and telecoms that you wouldn't want anyone to know about. Especially a sitting judge.
That vodafone thing shows how easy it is to cover these things up. They only caught it by chance. Likewise to tap an internet connection without a warrant to the ISP, they'd have to put a physical device on the connection to the first distribution box.... risky, the cable company may spot it, and report it to the police.
Also did they ever establish if that Vodafone Greek Technician really did hang himself?