Roy Greenslade - How Tulisa Was SCAMMED By Mazher Mahmood

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In this powerful Heretics Clips episode, veteran journalist Roy Greenslade breaks down one of the most infamous undercover stings in British media history: the Mazher Mahmood operation involving singer and TV star Tulisa Contostavlos. The case made headlines worldwide — but few people understand what really happened behind the scenes, why the story fell apart, and how Mahmood’s methods ultimately came under intense scrutiny. Greenslade, drawing on decades inside Fleet Street, reveals the hidden pressures, editorial incentives and systemic failures that allowed this sting to take shape in the first place.

Greenslade explains how Mahmood — widely known as the “Fake Sheikh” — constructed elaborate undercover personas designed to lure public figures into compromising situations. But when it came to Tulisa, everything unraveled. The criminal case against her collapsed in spectacular fashion after concerns were raised about the reliability of Mahmood’s evidence. A judge later said there were strong grounds to believe Mahmood had lied, and the fallout shook the entire media establishment.

So how did this sting even happen? What steps were taken inside the newsroom? And why did the operation implode so dramatically? Greenslade walks viewers through the mechanics of the setup, the vulnerabilities exploited, and the moment investigators realised that crucial elements of Mahmood’s reporting could not be trusted.

As Andrew Gold probes deeper, Greenslade offers rare insights into the broader culture that enabled these undercover operations to continue for years — even as warning signs mounted. Why were Mahmood’s stings so heavily relied upon?

How did they shape Britain’s tabloid landscape?

And what does the Tulisa case reveal about the dangers of unchecked journalistic tactics?

This episode stays tightly focused on the Tulisa sting, offering context, analysis and new angles that help explain why this scandal became a turning point in the history of British journalism. For anyone fascinated by media accountability, undercover reporting or the high-stakes world of tabloid exclusives, this is essential viewing.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H09M0H5rmoo

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