Tom Watson's phone hacking book heading for the big screen
Tom Watson's book about the phone hacking scandal could be set to hit the silver screen after the film rights were snapped up by a Los Angeles-based production company.
The Labour deputy leader's 2012 Dial M For Murdoch, which he co-wrote with journalist Martin Hickman, has been bought by the Story Mining Supply Co, a firm set up by producer and publisher Jeffrey Sharp and director Jim Kohlberg.
And the West Bromwich East MP says he could see Shaun of the Dead star Nick Frost playing him in the film – a nod to the oft-mentioned likeness between the pair that once saw the actor tweet his pleasure at being elected deputy leader of the Labour Party.
It comes after Mr Watson's latest entry in the House of Commons register of interests listed two payments totalling £20,413 for a 'film rights option on a book I co-wrote'.
He told the Express & Star: "I am flattered that there is some talk that the book I wrote should be made into a film, though I have a hunch that the final chapter in this particular story is yet to be written."
"If it ever does become a film, people seem to feel that Nick Frost would be the perfect actor to play me." The Story Mining Supply Co is currently turning the book into a screenplay, before touting it to filmmakers.
In his book Mr Watson, a founding member of the anti-Press pressure group Hacked Off's advisory committee, detailed the scandal surrounding Rupert Murdoch's News International and the subsequent cover-up.
Dozens of celebrities were found to have been the victims of phone hacking at theNews of the World before it was shut down in July 2011.
It also emerged that the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler had been hacked, while numerous politicians, journalists and lawyers were threatened.
A high profile court case led to the paper's former editor Andy Coulson being found guilty of conspiracy to intercept voicemails, while another former editor Rebekah Brooks was cleared.
Mr Watson spent years bidding to bring Mr Murdoch to account.
During his quest for truth, he faced numerous threats and was trailed by a private investigator.
Details of the title and publication date of the book were kept a closely guarded secret, with those involved in its production required to sign confidentiality agreements amid fears News International would try to prevent the launch.
Following the publication of Dial M for Murdoch, Mr Watson said: "Maybe one day I will feel satisfied but I don't at the moment, because I don't think this is over.
"We are not at the end of it. People are aware there was wrongdoing and a cover-up but the people who did it have not been brought to justice and I think the full extent of what happened within that company – we still don't know.
"Hopefully one day I can feel complete relief and move on."
