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Q&A: Phone hacking row Q&A: Phone hacking row
(20 minutes later)
As claims are made of widespread phone hacking by the News of the World, we look at some key questions surrounding the story.As claims are made of widespread phone hacking by the News of the World, we look at some key questions surrounding the story.
What is the row about?What is the row about?
The Guardian is claiming News of the World journalists were involved in widespread phone hacking of several thousand celebrities, sports stars and politicians.The Guardian is claiming News of the World journalists were involved in widespread phone hacking of several thousand celebrities, sports stars and politicians.
The paper says it has evidence that News Group Newspapers - owner of the title - paid £1m to settle legal cases that might have revealed evidence of illegal activities.The paper says it has evidence that News Group Newspapers - owner of the title - paid £1m to settle legal cases that might have revealed evidence of illegal activities.
News Group are then accused by the paper of persuading the court to "seal the file" to prevent all public access.News Group are then accused by the paper of persuading the court to "seal the file" to prevent all public access.
If that evidence had been made available, then the victims of phone hacking may have been able to take action against the Sunday tabloid.If that evidence had been made available, then the victims of phone hacking may have been able to take action against the Sunday tabloid.
The allegations raise questions not just for News Group, but also the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Andy Coulson, the former News of the World editor.The allegations raise questions not just for News Group, but also the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Andy Coulson, the former News of the World editor.
Why has it now come to light?Why has it now come to light?
The details obtained by the Guardian allegedly emerged during a court case involving Professional Footballers' Association chief executive, Gordon Taylor, and the News of the World.The details obtained by the Guardian allegedly emerged during a court case involving Professional Footballers' Association chief executive, Gordon Taylor, and the News of the World.
Mr Taylor, whose organisation represents footballers' interests, sued News Group on the basis that its senior executives must have known about an alleged hacking operation on his mobile phone - claims of which had emerged in a 2007 court case involving the paper's royal editor.Mr Taylor, whose organisation represents footballers' interests, sued News Group on the basis that its senior executives must have known about an alleged hacking operation on his mobile phone - claims of which had emerged in a 2007 court case involving the paper's royal editor.
A £700,000 out-of-court settlement was reached on condition that details of the case were not made public.A £700,000 out-of-court settlement was reached on condition that details of the case were not made public.
Whose phone was hacked into?Whose phone was hacked into?
On the Guardian's list are former deputy prime minister John Prescott, former culture secretary Tessa Jowell, celebrity cook Nigella Lawson, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, London Mayor Boris Johnson, comedian Lenny Henry, singer George Michael and the late Jade Goody.On the Guardian's list are former deputy prime minister John Prescott, former culture secretary Tessa Jowell, celebrity cook Nigella Lawson, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, London Mayor Boris Johnson, comedian Lenny Henry, singer George Michael and the late Jade Goody.
The Guardian quotes one source as saying between "2,000 and 3,000" public figures had been targeted.The Guardian quotes one source as saying between "2,000 and 3,000" public figures had been targeted.
Where does this leave News Group?
If a full list of names were to be published, that could pave the way for further claims over breach of privacy against the newspaper owners.
Schillings, a law firm representing high profile figures, said several clients have been calling since the story broke.
It is not necessarily a case of them wanting to sue to get damages but wanting to know what is happening to their private information, says Rod Christie-Miller, a Schillings partner.
So far, News Group's parent company News International has only said it was "inappropriate to comment at this time", but there will be growing pressure for questions to be answered about exactly who knew what.
Senior executives can expect a grilling from MPs on the reconvened Culture Select Committee inquiry, says BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas.
Who is Andy Coulson?Who is Andy Coulson?
Andy Coulson was News of the World editor when his journalists were allegedly involved in the phone hacking operation three or four years ago. Now he is director of communications for the Conservative Party.Andy Coulson was News of the World editor when his journalists were allegedly involved in the phone hacking operation three or four years ago. Now he is director of communications for the Conservative Party.
He started his journalism career on regional papers, rising rapidly to become News of the World editor by his mid-30s.He started his journalism career on regional papers, rising rapidly to become News of the World editor by his mid-30s.
He oversaw a string of tabloid exclusives but resigned in January 2007 on the day his royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed for four months for illegal phone hacking; Mr Coulson denied having had any knowledge of his activities.He oversaw a string of tabloid exclusives but resigned in January 2007 on the day his royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed for four months for illegal phone hacking; Mr Coulson denied having had any knowledge of his activities.
Less than six months later, David Cameron had hired him.Less than six months later, David Cameron had hired him.
What have the Tories said?What have the Tories said?
Conservative leader David Cameron is standing by his communications director, insisting his job is safe.Conservative leader David Cameron is standing by his communications director, insisting his job is safe.
"He does an excellent job for the Conservatives, in a proper, upright way at all times," adding that he believed in giving people "a second chance"."He does an excellent job for the Conservatives, in a proper, upright way at all times," adding that he believed in giving people "a second chance".
Why didn't the police investigate? What have the police done?
It is unclear yet how far any police investigation has gone. What is known is that alleged targets of the phone hacking were not informed when information first came to light. On Thursday morning, Assistant Met Police Commissioner John Yates was ordered to "establish the facts" as calls grew for a police inquiry.
Legal analyst Joshua Rozenberg said there was no obligation on the police to inform the politicians and celebrities. By the afternoon, Mr Yates was telling reporters "no further investigation" would be conducted into the allegations.
"I think the police would say they don't go around publishing information like this," he said. He said where there was evidence that people had been the subject of any form of phone tapping, they had been informed, but the numbers were much, much lower than those reported.
"It's their job to investigate crimes and pass information onto the Crown Prosecution Service. And if the CPS chose not to prosecute, or even to tell the people involved, that's their decision." He also said detectives had found no evidence that John Prescott's phone had been tapped.
The Metropolitan Police says a senior officer has now been ordered to "establish the facts" of the case.
How can a mobile phone be hacked into?How can a mobile phone be hacked into?
Security experts says there are three methods of intercepting mobile calls: at the handset; during the conversation - which is illegal and very expensive; or through the mobile phone company which connects the device.Security experts says there are three methods of intercepting mobile calls: at the handset; during the conversation - which is illegal and very expensive; or through the mobile phone company which connects the device.
Are there laws preventing people from hacking into phones?Are there laws preventing people from hacking into phones?
It is illegal to gain access to another person's telephone under Section 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).It is illegal to gain access to another person's telephone under Section 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
Legal affairs analyst Jon Silverman said the only exception is if the hacking is being done by the authorities, who will have gained legal clearance.Legal affairs analyst Jon Silverman said the only exception is if the hacking is being done by the authorities, who will have gained legal clearance.
What are the penalties for breaking the law in this way?What are the penalties for breaking the law in this way?
The maximum sentence is two years in prison, or a fine, or possibly both.The maximum sentence is two years in prison, or a fine, or possibly both.