London Police Seek New South Wales Help After Royal Hoax - Businessweek

London police have contacted their New South Wales counterparts after a nurse who took a hoax phone call from an Australian radio station about the Duchess of Cambridge was found dead.

The state's police have received a request for assistance from the Metropolitan Police Service, Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas said on Sky News today. There will be no advertising on Sydney radio station 2Day FM over the weekend, the Australian newspaper reported on its website yesterday, citing a spokeswoman for the station's owner Southern Cross Austereo.

Two presenters from the radio station impersonating Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles phoned London's King Edward VII hospital last week seeking details about the health of the former Kate Middleton after she was admitted for acute morning sickness. The nurse who took the call was later found dead. Wesfarmers Ltd. (WES)'s Coles unit said yesterday it instructed the station to remove advertising as soon as possible, while Telstra Corp. (TLS), the country's biggest phone company, also suspended ads, according to the Australian report.

"It hasn't been indicated to us that an offense has occurred and they have not actually asked for anything yet," Kaldas said today. "They've simply touched base, let us know of their interest and they will get back to us if they actually want something done. Nothing has been requested of us yet."

The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which regulates broadcasting, will be engaging with the radio station, Chairman Chris Chapman said in a statement yesterday.

Board Meeting

Southern Cross Austereo's board will meet today to consider what action to take, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on its website, citing Chairman Max Moore-Wilton. The two radio presenters are being given counseling, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing the Australian Associated Press.

Lord Glenarthur, chairman of King Edward VII hospital, wrote to the Australian radio network to describe the phone call as "truly appalling" and "extremely foolish," the British Broadcasting Corp. said yesterday. The letter was written a day after the nurse who took the call was found dead, having apparently killed herself, according to the BBC.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the incident as a terrible tragedy. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened by the death, according to a Dec. 7 statement. The duchess left hospital on Dec. 6.

The station is "satisfied we haven't broken any laws" and has decided the radio show will not return until further notice, Southern Cross Chief Executive Officer Rhys Holleran said yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Phoebe Sedgman in Melbourne at psedgman2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jim McDonald at jmcdonald8@bloomberg.net