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Stars 'may sue' over phone claims Stars 'may sue' over phone claims
(10 minutes later)
Public figures who believe they were victims of alleged phone hacking by investigators hired by the News of the World are considering suing the paper.Public figures who believe they were victims of alleged phone hacking by investigators hired by the News of the World are considering suing the paper.
One lawyer told the BBC he has had two enquiries and that more celebrities and politicians were seeking advice.One lawyer told the BBC he has had two enquiries and that more celebrities and politicians were 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.
In its latest revelations, the Guardian names Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former England captain Alan Shearer among those whose messages were allegedly intercepted.In its latest revelations, the Guardian names Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former England captain Alan Shearer among those whose messages were allegedly intercepted.
Three inquiries have been launched by the director of public prosecutions, the Press Complaints Commission and a Commons select committee.
'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 royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glen Mulcaire being jailed for four and six months respectively in January 2007.It resulted in 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"Vanessa Feltz: "I'm shocked, I'm bewildered at what seems to pass for journalism these days"
He said Goodman and Mulcaire had undertaken a "sophisticated and wide-ranging conspiracy to gather private and personal data".He said Goodman and Mulcaire had undertaken a "sophisticated and wide-ranging conspiracy to gather private and personal data".
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.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.
Mark Stephens, of law firm Finers Stephens Innocent, said Mr Yates' statement seemed "not to address the possibility that there had been a criminal attempt or criminal conspiracy".Mark Stephens, of law firm Finers Stephens Innocent, said Mr Yates' statement seemed "not to address the possibility that there had been a criminal attempt or criminal conspiracy".
He said the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, could force police to reopen the investigation or order the release of documents "sealed" by civil courts under case confidentially agreements.He said the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, could force police to reopen the investigation or order the release of documents "sealed" by civil courts under case confidentially agreements.
This could shed light on whether other high-profile figures had been phone hacking victims, he added.This could shed light on whether other high-profile figures had been phone hacking victims, he added.
Seeking reassuranceSeeking reassurance
Mr Starmer has said he wants to reassure himself and the public that "appropriate actions" were taken by the police three years ago.Mr Starmer has said he wants to reassure himself and the public that "appropriate actions" were taken 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 Commons culture, media and sport select committee has announced it will reopen an inquiry held after Goodman was jailed and may call Mr Coulson to give evidence.The Commons culture, media and sport select committee has announced it will reopen an inquiry held after Goodman was jailed and may call Mr Coulson to give evidence.
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.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" figures targeted.But the Guardian claims they were among "two or three thousand" figures targeted.
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.