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Phone hacking: Jude Law, Lord Prescott and Ashley Cole get payouts Phone hacking: Jude Law, Lord Prescott and Ashley Cole get payouts
(40 minutes later)
Jude Law and Lord Prescott are among the high-profile figures to receive payouts over phone hacking by the News of the World, the High Court has heard.Jude Law and Lord Prescott are among the high-profile figures to receive payouts over phone hacking by the News of the World, the High Court has heard.
The ex-deputy prime minister received £40,000 ($62,000), actor Law £130,000 ($200,000) and his former girlfriend Sadie Frost £50,000 ($77,000). Actor Law received £130,000 ($200,000) and his ex-wife Sadie Frost £50,000 ($77,000) while the ex-deputy prime minister got £40,000 ($62,000).
Footballer Ashley Cole also settled with the now-defunct paper's publisher News International, the court heard. Footballer Ashley Cole also settled for an undisclosed fee with the now-defunct paper's publisher, the court heard.
Most people pursuing damages had now reached agreements, lawyers said. News International said it would not comment on the agreements.
Most people pursuing damages had now settled out of court, lawyers said.
The court heard Law's phone was repeatedly hacked between 2003 and 2006. Frost said she had distrusted him because journalists always knew where she would be.The court heard Law's phone was repeatedly hacked between 2003 and 2006. Frost said she had distrusted him because journalists always knew where she would be.
A packed court, standing room only, heard 18 statements read out by victims of phone-hacking. Each time the media company admitted its guilt, it offered "its sincerest apologies" and paid up in damages
Actress Sadie Frost, who got £50,000, said journalists always seemed to know where she was. She suspected her husband, actor Jude Law, was leaking information. This was a common theme, highlighting the distrust among friends and families that hacking creating.
Another major concern, was the breach of security the practice created. Joan Hammell, special adviser to John Prescott was cleared to the highest security level because she was privy to 'highly sensitive information', but was hacked anyway. Damages £40,000
The only hacking victim in court was Chris Bryant MP who stood calmly with his arms crossed as News International apologised.
These cases are the bulk of those outstanding, but 10 cases may still go to trial.
Law's personal assistant Ben Jackson was also awarded £40,000 ($62,000) plus costs.Law's personal assistant Ben Jackson was also awarded £40,000 ($62,000) plus costs.
'Utmost distress' The News of the World had placed Mr Prescott under surveillance, the court heard.
Other payouts included £40,000 to rugby union star Gavin Henson and the same sum to entrepreneur and friend of Princes William and Harry, Guy Pelly.
Mr Pelly said in a statement read in court he had phoned his voicemail to find it engaged.
BBC legal correspondent Clive Coleman said some commentators were viewing the latest settlements as News International "waving the white flag".BBC legal correspondent Clive Coleman said some commentators were viewing the latest settlements as News International "waving the white flag".
There did not seem to be a huge appetite on News International's part to put journalists and editors in the witness box, he added.There did not seem to be a huge appetite on News International's part to put journalists and editors in the witness box, he added.
Labour MP Chris Bryant, who was awarded £30,000 ($46,000), said in a court statement it was "a matter of utmost distress" to discover he was a victim.Labour MP Chris Bryant, who was awarded £30,000 ($46,000), said in a court statement it was "a matter of utmost distress" to discover he was a victim.
Other payouts confirmed at Thursday's hearing include £30,000 to Lisa Gower, who was in a relationship with comedian Steve Coogan and £60,000 ($83,000) to an anonymous claimant. Joan Hammell, chief of staff to the Lord Prescott, was awarded £40,000. She was party to highly sensitive information and cleared to the highest security vetting level within government, the court heard.
John Hammell, chief of staff to the Lord Prescott, was awarded £40,000. He was party to highly sensitive information and cleared to the highest security vetting level within government, the court heard. Christopher Shipman, son of serial killer Dr Harold Shipman, was awarded an undisclosed fee after his e-mails and phone were hacked.
Other payouts confirmed at Thursday's hearing included:
  • £30,000 to Lisa Gower, who was in a relationship with comedian Steve Coogan
  • £25,000 to Ashley Cole's solicitor, Graham Shear
  • £25,000 to freelance crime reporter Tom Rowland
  • £32,500 to Labour MP Denis McShane
  • Undisclosed damages to former Labour MP Claire Ward
  • £27,500 to journalist and author Joan Smith
  • £60,000 to an anonymous claimant
Mark Thomson, of Atkins Thomson, told Thursday's hearing other claimants had not settled and would press ahead with a trial scheduled for next month.Mark Thomson, of Atkins Thomson, told Thursday's hearing other claimants had not settled and would press ahead with a trial scheduled for next month.
"All of the claimants have been extremely brave to take on and succeed against a massive and influential multinational media organisation.""All of the claimants have been extremely brave to take on and succeed against a massive and influential multinational media organisation."