 According to journalist Neville Thurlbeck, the British press has been practicing chequebook journalism for over 160 years.Related to this was a British "phone hacking scandal" dating back to 2002, during which it was learned that for years there had been illegal phone hacking, police bribery, and the exercising of improper influence in the pursuit of news stories.The hacking focused on celebrities, politicians, and members of the British Royal Family.