Thursday, 19 January 2012

Celebrities settle hacking claims




Dozens of celebrities and politicians, including Jude Law and Lord Prescott, have now settled damages claims over the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, the High Court has heard.
Shaun Russell, whose wife and daughter were killed in Kent in 1996, and Sara Payne, the mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah, are also among 36 claimants who have reached settlements.
Details of some of the deals have been given in court.
Actress and designer Sadie Frost has received £50,000 in damages. Labour MP Chris Bryant received £30,000. Footballer Ashley Cole has also received damages but the figure was not disclosed.
The deals mean that 36 damages claims being brought against News International subsidiary News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of the now-defunct News of the World, have been settled.
But Mark Thomson, of law firm Atkins Thomson, who represents some of the claimants, said others would press ahead with a trial scheduled for next month.
Actor Jude Law is among those who have settled


damages claims over the phone hacking scandal
Others whose settlements were confirmed include former cavalry officer James Hewitt, who had an affair with Diana, Princess of Wales, former MP George Galloway, Welsh rugby star Gavin Henson, singer Dannii Minogue, Calum Best, the son of George Best, and Meg Matthews, the ex-wife of former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher.
Mr Thomson said: "All of the claimants have been extremely brave to take on and succeed against a massive and influential multinational media organisation.
"They can take the credit for triggering the new police investigation, the parliamentary inquiries and the Leveson Inquiry. They should be very pleased with what they have achieved.
"A number of claimants are still pursuing the matter to trial and, as a result, NGN will continue to disclose further information and evidence."


Chris Bryant (MP) – £30,000 plus costs
Ashley Cole (footballer) – unknown
Sadie Frost (designer) – £50,000 plus costs
Lisa Gower (former partner of Steve Coogan) – £30,000 plus costs
HJK (anonymous member of the public) – £60,000 plus costs
Joan Hammell (former aide to John Prescott) – £40,000 plus costs
Gavin Henson (rugby player) – £40,000 plus costs
Ben Jackson (assistant to Jude Law) – £40,000 plus costs
Jude Law (actor) – £130,000 plus costs.
Denis MacShane (MP) – £32,500 plus costs
Ciara Parkes (PR to Jude Law) – £35,000 plus costs
Guy Pelly (friend of Prince Harry's) – £40,000 plus costs
John Prescott (former deputy prime minister) – £40,000 plus costs
Tom Rowland (journalist) – £25,000 plus costs
Graham Shear (footballers' lawyer) – £25,000 plus costs
Christopher Shipman (son of Harold Shipman) – "substantial damages" plus costs
Joan Smith (former partner of Denis Mac Shane) – £27,500 plus costs
Claire Ward (former MP) "substantial" plus costs.
Total declared damages: £645,000.


©Press Association 2012

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