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News of the World 'bugging claim' News of the World 'bugging claim'
(40 minutes later)
The publisher of the News of the World paid £1m in court costs after its journalists were accused of involvement in phone tapping, it has been claimed.The publisher of the News of the World paid £1m in court costs after its journalists were accused of involvement in phone tapping, it has been claimed.
The Guardian says three cases were settled out of court after journalists allegedly hired private investigators who obtained the information illegally.The Guardian says three cases were settled out of court after journalists allegedly hired private investigators who obtained the information illegally.
The paper claims News Group paid £700,000 in damages and costs to Gordon Taylor, Professional Footballers chief. It claims News Group paid £700,000 in damages and costs to the head of the professional footballers' association.
News International told the paper the case "means nothing to anyone here".News International told the paper the case "means nothing to anyone here".
A spokesman said: "This particular case means nothing to anyone here, and I've talked to all the people who would be involved." The BBC has yet to receive a response from News International.A spokesman said: "This particular case means nothing to anyone here, and I've talked to all the people who would be involved." The BBC has yet to receive a response from News International.
Mobile phone messagesMobile phone messages
Other high-profile figures allegedly targeted include model Elle Macpherson, former deputy prime minister John Prescott and the publicist Max Clifford.Other high-profile figures allegedly targeted include model Elle Macpherson, former deputy prime minister John Prescott and the publicist Max Clifford.
The News of the World editor at the time, Andy Coulson, said: "I have made it clear to the Guardian that I knew nothing about the Taylor settlement."The News of the World editor at the time, Andy Coulson, said: "I have made it clear to the Guardian that I knew nothing about the Taylor settlement."
I find it staggering that there can be a list known to the police of people who have had their phone tapped John Prescott A lot of the stories in the paper were coming from information that was highly private John Prescott
Mr Coulson, now the Conservative Party communications director, declined to comment further.Mr Coulson, now the Conservative Party communications director, declined to comment further.
A spokeswoman for David Cameron said the Conservative leader was "very relaxed" about the story.A spokeswoman for David Cameron said the Conservative leader was "very relaxed" about the story.
"The ramping up of this story is ridiculous - this is about a payment made well after Andy (Coulson) left the News of the World," she said."The ramping up of this story is ridiculous - this is about a payment made well after Andy (Coulson) left the News of the World," she said.
The Guardian says evidence alleging journalists used investigators to hack into the mobile phone messages of numerous public figures was presented in High Court proceedings.The Guardian says evidence alleging journalists used investigators to hack into the mobile phone messages of numerous public figures was presented in High Court proceedings.
It claims the investigators went in search of information such as bank statements and tax records.It claims the investigators went in search of information such as bank statements and tax records.
Police investigationPolice investigation
Mr Prescott told Channel Four News he had not been told his phone may have been tapped. Mr Prescott told the BBC he had not been told his phone may have been tapped.
He said: "I find it staggering that there can be a list known to the police of people who have had their phone tapped; I'm named as one of them. "I had no evidence of this though frankly, a lot of the stories in the paper were coming from information that was highly private," he said. "It's quite staggering really."
For such an act not to be reported to him reflected very badly on the police "and I want to know their answer," he went on. The Metropolitan Police declined to respond to Mr Prescott's comment.
Two years ago, the News of the World's royal reporter Clive Goodman was jailed after pleading guilty to hacking into the phone messages of royal staff. A private investigator was also jailed and Mr Coulson resigned.Two years ago, the News of the World's royal reporter Clive Goodman was jailed after pleading guilty to hacking into the phone messages of royal staff. A private investigator was also jailed and Mr Coulson resigned.
The Guardian now says it has evidence of repeated involvement by the group's journalists in illegal activity, which could open the way for police inquiries and legal action by the victims.The Guardian now says it has evidence of repeated involvement by the group's journalists in illegal activity, which could open the way for police inquiries and legal action by the victims.
A Met Police spokesman said an investigation had been carried out into the alleged unlawful interception of telephone calls.A Met Police spokesman said an investigation had been carried out into the alleged unlawful interception of telephone calls.
"Two people were charged and subsequently convicted and jailed. We are not prepared to comment further," he said."Two people were charged and subsequently convicted and jailed. We are not prepared to comment further," he said.