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Lord Prescott told of new phone-hacking evidence | Lord Prescott told of new phone-hacking evidence |
(40 minutes later) | |
Lord Prescott, who claims News of the World journalists hacked into his phone, has said police have told him they have "significant new evidence". | |
The former deputy prime minister said this showed earlier investigations into his case and others were "inadequate". | |
He claimed phone hacking was widespread and involved "hundreds" of journalists. | |
The Metropolitan Police, which launched a fresh phone hacking inquiry last month, said it would be contacting a number of potential new victims. | |
Scotland Yard said officers at the specialist crime directorate Operation Weeting "have been able to make some links not previously identified" after reviewing a number of files. | Scotland Yard said officers at the specialist crime directorate Operation Weeting "have been able to make some links not previously identified" after reviewing a number of files. |
They relate to the conviction of News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman for phone hacking in 2007, as well as new evidence recently provided from publisher News International. | They relate to the conviction of News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman for phone hacking in 2007, as well as new evidence recently provided from publisher News International. |
"The team have also identified some individuals who were previously advised that there was little or no information held by the [Met Police] relating to them within the case papers and exhibits and this is now being reviewed," Scotland Yard added. | "The team have also identified some individuals who were previously advised that there was little or no information held by the [Met Police] relating to them within the case papers and exhibits and this is now being reviewed," Scotland Yard added. |
'Uncovering the truth' | 'Uncovering the truth' |
Lord Prescott said in a statement he had met the lead officer, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, on Wednesday. | Lord Prescott said in a statement he had met the lead officer, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, on Wednesday. |
"She informed me that significant new evidence relating to phone hacking and myself had been discovered and that they were investigating it. | "She informed me that significant new evidence relating to phone hacking and myself had been discovered and that they were investigating it. |
"I think this proves my long-held belief that the original Met police investigation into [private investigator Glenn] Mulcaire and News International was completely inadequate and failed to follow all the evidence. | "I think this proves my long-held belief that the original Met police investigation into [private investigator Glenn] Mulcaire and News International was completely inadequate and failed to follow all the evidence. |
"I now look forward to the Met Police finally uncovering the truth." | "I now look forward to the Met Police finally uncovering the truth." |
Speaking later on BBC Breakfast, Lord Prescott claimed "hundreds" of journalists were involved in phone-hacking, and that "all" newspapers were implicated. | |
"The papers have been at it for years. There have been hundreds of journalists hacking phones in all the newspapers," he said. | |
Lord Prescott suggested that the relationship between papers owned by Rupert Murdoch - including the News of the World - and the police had hampered the original investigation into phone hacking. | |
He said: "Since it was a criminal act committed, why didn't the police take criminal action? | |
"There are a lot of questions now being asked as to why they didn't do that and that is to do with the relationship, frankly, between Murdoch press and the Met Police." | |
The Met denied suggestions that its relationship with Rupert Murdoch's papers was improper or had hampered the original investigation. | |
News International declined to comment. | |
Police have been accused by a number of public figures of failing to carry out thorough inquiries in the past, and launched a fresh inquiry last month after receiving new information. | Police have been accused by a number of public figures of failing to carry out thorough inquiries in the past, and launched a fresh inquiry last month after receiving new information. |
Associated Press reported that thousands of names had been contained within News International's files, but Scotland Yard refused to comment on the number of people potentially involved. | Associated Press reported that thousands of names had been contained within News International's files, but Scotland Yard refused to comment on the number of people potentially involved. |
In January 2007, Mulcaire and Goodman were jailed for six months and four months respectively. | |
Claims that phone hacking was widespread continue, and more and more celebrities and public figures have launched civil legal actions against both the paper and the police. | Claims that phone hacking was widespread continue, and more and more celebrities and public figures have launched civil legal actions against both the paper and the police. |