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Stars 'may sue' over phone claims Stars 'may sue' over phone claims
(10 minutes later)
Public figures whose mobile phones were allegedly hacked into by investigators hired by the News of the World are said to be considering suing the newspaper.Public figures whose mobile phones were allegedly hacked into by investigators hired by the News of the World are said to be considering suing the newspaper.
It is understood lawyers have been contacted by various celebrities and politicians seeking advice. Lawyers are said to have been contacted by various celebrities and politicians seeking advice.
It follows claims in the Guardian that the tabloid paid £1m to settle legal cases which threatened to expose the use of illegal methods to get stories.It follows claims in the Guardian that the tabloid paid £1m to settle legal cases which threatened to expose the use of illegal methods to get stories.
Scotland Yard has said it will not investigate the fresh allegations.Scotland Yard has said it will not investigate the fresh allegations.
But three inquiries have been launched by the director of public prosecutions, the Press Complaints Commission and a Commons select committee.But three inquiries have been launched by the director of public prosecutions, the Press Complaints Commission and a Commons select committee.
In its latest revelations, the Guardian names Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former Newcastle United and England player Alan Shearer among those whose phone messages were allegedly intercepted.In its latest revelations, the Guardian names Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former Newcastle United and England player Alan Shearer among those whose phone messages were allegedly intercepted.
'Insufficient evidence''Insufficient evidence'
The Met has already conducted an investigation into phone hacking by journalists at the News of the World.The Met has already conducted an investigation into phone hacking by journalists at the News of the World.
It resulted in the paper's royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glen Mulcaire being jailed for four and six months respectively in January 2007.It resulted in the paper's royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glen Mulcaire being jailed for four and six months respectively in January 2007.
The scandal led to the resignation of then editor Andy Coulson, who is now the Conservatives' PR chief.The scandal led to the resignation of then editor Andy Coulson, who is now the Conservatives' PR chief.
On Thursday, Met Assistant Commissioner John Yates said Scotland Yard would not reopen its files on the case because no new evidence had come to light.On Thursday, Met Assistant Commissioner John Yates said Scotland Yard would not reopen its files on the case because no new evidence had come to light.
Vanessa Feltz: "I'm shocked, I'm bewildered at what seems to pass for journalism these days"
He said Goodman and Mulcaire had been engaged in a "sophisticated and wide-ranging conspiracy to gather private and personal data, principally about high profile figures".He said Goodman and Mulcaire had been engaged in a "sophisticated and wide-ranging conspiracy to gather private and personal data, principally about high profile figures".
He added the inquiry had focused solely on phone tapping, and in the vast majority of cases, there was "insufficient evidence" that interception had happened. He added the inquiry had focused solely on phone hacking, and in the vast majority of cases, there was "insufficient evidence" that interception had happened.
New details
Keir Starmer QC, the director of public prosecutions, said he wanted to reassure himself and the public that "appropriate actions" were taken over material provided by the police three years ago.Keir Starmer QC, the director of public prosecutions, said he wanted to reassure himself and the public that "appropriate actions" were taken over material provided by the police three years ago.
"Given the nature of the offences, the amount of material is, of course, extensive and complex, but it has all been located and a small team is now rapidly working through it," he said."Given the nature of the offences, the amount of material is, of course, extensive and complex, but it has all been located and a small team is now rapidly working through it," he said.
The cross-party House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee has announced it will reopen an inquiry it held after Goodman was jailed.The cross-party House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee has announced it will reopen an inquiry it held after Goodman was jailed.
The committee's chairman, John Whittingdale, said it may call Mr Coulson to give evidence.The committee's chairman, John Whittingdale, said it may call Mr Coulson to give evidence.
During the Goodman trial, it emerged Mulcaire had tapped the phones of model Elle Macpherson, publicist Max Clifford, Simon Hughes MP and the Professional Footballers' Association's Gordon Taylor. Damages award
During the Goodman trial, it emerged Mulcaire had hacked into the phones of model Elle Macpherson, publicist Max Clifford, Simon Hughes MP and the Professional Footballers' Association's Gordon Taylor.
But the Guardian claims they were among "two or three thousand" public figures targeted by the hacking operation.But the Guardian claims they were among "two or three thousand" public figures targeted by the hacking operation.
The new details obtained by the Guardian allegedly emerged during a court case last year involving Mr Taylor and the News of the World.The new details obtained by the Guardian allegedly emerged during a court case last year involving Mr Taylor and the News of the World.
He sued News Group, which owns the News of the World, on the basis that its senior executives must have known about an alleged phone tap on his mobile. He sued News Group, which owns the News of the World, on the basis that its senior executives must have known about an alleged phone hack on his mobile.
He received £700,000 in damages and court costs last year, but on condition that details of the case were not made public.He received £700,000 in damages and court costs last year, but on condition that details of the case were not made public.
News International, the parent company of News Group, said it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the Guardian's allegations.News International, the parent company of News Group, said it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the Guardian's allegations.