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News of the World prints phone-hacking apology
BBC News web site
DATELINE: 10/4/11
The News of the World has printed an apology in its latest edition over the long-running phone-hacking scandal. The paper said of the victims: "Here today, we publicly and unreservedly apologise to all such individuals." It added in a page two article that the hacking "should not have happened" and "was and remains unacceptable".
The News of the World's owner, News International, has admitted there were at least eight victims and has put aside £20m for compensation.
'Fairly and efficiently'The paper said a number of individuals had brought breach of privacy claims against it over wrongful voicemail interceptions between 2004 and 2006, and others were threatening to do so.
It continued: "Evidence has recently come to light which supports some of these claims.
"We have written to relevant individuals to admit liability in these civil cases and to apologise unreservedly, and will do the same to any other individuals where evidence shows their claims to be justifiable.
"We hope to be able to pay appropriate compensation to all these individuals, and have asked our lawyers to set up a compensation scheme to deal with genuine claims fairly and efficiently."
The BBC understands that News International is ready to settle claims over phone hacking with eight people including actress Sienna Miller, former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, designer Kelly Hoppen and sports broadcaster Andy Gray. The others are lawyer and Mrs Jowell's estranged husband David Mills; former aide to ex-Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott, Joan Hammell; assistant to publicist Max Clifford, Nicola Phillips; and former Olympian and talent agent Sky Andrew.
On Friday, News International apologised over the phone-hacking scandal and said it would set up a compensation fund. There are 24 active claims against the paper being heard by High Court judge Mr Justice Vos.
Mark Lewis, a solicitor involved in several of the current cases, told the BBC that News International's apology was a "step in the right direction".
In 2007, the first police investigation led to the convictions and imprisonment of then News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who was employed by the paper.
On Tuesday, the News of the World's chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, 50, and former news editor Ian Edmondson, 42, were arrested on suspicion of having unlawfully intercepted voicemail messages. They were subsequently released on bail until September.
News International, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch and also owns the Times and the Sun newspapers, said it would continue to co-operate with the Metropolitan Police inquiry.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13027211
Last modified: Wednesday, May 18, 2011
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Previous stories
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