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Phone hacking: Culture committee questions lawyers Phone hacking: Lawyer says hacking 'more widespread'
(40 minutes later)
A solicitor representing many of the alleged victims of phone hacking is being questioned by MPs. A lawyer who advised News International has said the company was told in 2008 there were three journalists other than Clive Goodman involved in phone hacking.
Mark Lewis, whose clients include the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, is appearing before the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Julian Pike told the Commons culture committee he had "not done very much" to dispute the firm's claims that only "one rogue reporter" was involved.
Julian Pike, the lawyer who advised News International in its case with the Football Association's Gordon Taylor, is also appearing. But he insisted he was "not party to any cover-up".
Goodman was jailed in 2007 for hacking phones belonging to royal aides.
Mr Pike, who works for solicitors Farrer and Co, advised News International in its phone-hacking case with the Football Association's Gordon Taylor.
His case is seen as key to the dispute over how widespread hacking was.His case is seen as key to the dispute over how widespread hacking was.
Mr Taylor settled his case with the News of the World for a reported £425,000. 'For Neville'
Mr Taylor settled out of court with the News of the World for a reported £425,000.
But an email handed to his lawyers by the police - known as the "For Neville" email - has been at the centre of a disagreement during previous committee hearings.But an email handed to his lawyers by the police - known as the "For Neville" email - has been at the centre of a disagreement during previous committee hearings.
When the News of the World's royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed for hacking into phones of the royal household in 2007, the paper insisted the practice was not more widely used.When the News of the World's royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed for hacking into phones of the royal household in 2007, the paper insisted the practice was not more widely used.
But the "For Neville" email is said to have implied that the News of the World's chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck was also implicated in malpractices.But the "For Neville" email is said to have implied that the News of the World's chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck was also implicated in malpractices.
Former News of the World legal manager Tom Crone has told MPs he is "certain" he informed News Corp boss James Murdoch about the email.Former News of the World legal manager Tom Crone has told MPs he is "certain" he informed News Corp boss James Murdoch about the email.
However, Mr Murdoch, who is the European chief executive of News Corporation - the parent company of News International, which owned News of the World before it was closed in July 2011 - has insisted he was never told about it.However, Mr Murdoch, who is the European chief executive of News Corporation - the parent company of News International, which owned News of the World before it was closed in July 2011 - has insisted he was never told about it.
'Powerful case''Powerful case'
Mr Pike told the committee the email was a "critical piece of evidence" relating to phone hacking.Mr Pike told the committee the email was a "critical piece of evidence" relating to phone hacking.
"It was quite clear having seen the For Neville email... that there was involvement of News of the World journalists other than Goodman," he said."It was quite clear having seen the For Neville email... that there was involvement of News of the World journalists other than Goodman," he said.
The lawyer also said that in 2008, at the time of the Taylor case, the advice given to News International was that there were "three journalists other than Goodman involved in phone hacking".The lawyer also said that in 2008, at the time of the Taylor case, the advice given to News International was that there were "three journalists other than Goodman involved in phone hacking".
"They were also advised by counsel and ourselves that there was a powerful case to support [the existence of] a culture of illegal accessing of information to get stories," he added."They were also advised by counsel and ourselves that there was a powerful case to support [the existence of] a culture of illegal accessing of information to get stories," he added.
Committee chairman John Whittingdale said in September he wanted to hear from Mr Pike, who works for solicitors Farrer and Co before recalling Mr Murdoch to give further evidence. Mr Pike said there was no obligation for him to report to the police that he knew phone hacking was more widespread at the News of the World than the company was claiming.
Committee chairman John Whittingdale said in September he wanted to hear from Mr Pike before recalling Mr Murdoch to give further evidence.
The committee will also hear from Mark Lewis, the solicitor who represents many of the alleged victims of phone hacking, including the family of Milly Dowler.
Next week, the MPs will hear evidence from News International's former executive chairman Les Hinton.Next week, the MPs will hear evidence from News International's former executive chairman Les Hinton.
He will appear via videolink from the United States, where he lives.He will appear via videolink from the United States, where he lives.