Britain to probe if tabloid made 3,000 illegal phone-taps (Lead)

London, July 9

British police and parliament said Thursday they will probe claims that a tabloid newspaper illegally tapped the telephones of thousands of high-profile figures, including a former deputy prime minister, and paid a million pound to victims.

The Guardian claimed Thursday three cases were settled out of court after journalists from the News of the World tabloid were accused of hiring private investigators who obtained information illegally.

The Guardian claimed that the tabloid, owned by Australian media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, targeted up to 3,000 high-profile figures, including former British deputy prime minister John Prescott, models Elle Macpherson and Lisa Snowdon, publicist Max Clifford, actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law, singer George Michael, ex-England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, London Mayor Boris Johnson, the late reality television star Jade Goody and politicians from all the major British parties.

The British parliament's Culture Select Committee and London's Metropolitan Police said they will separately investigate the claims.

The Guardian said the tabloid made out-of-court payments to secure secrecy over the methods employed by its staff, and claimed Thursday's revelations may “open the door to hundreds more legal actions by victims

Last updated on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 18:56 pm IST--IANS

Possibly related news:

Other News Headlines

Senior Al Qaeda man killed in Somalia

Nairobi/Mogadishu, Feb 9

A Somali minister Tuesday said government forces had killed a senior Al Qaeda fighter who was also a member of Somali insurgent group al-Shabaab.

Iran starts 20-percent uranium enrichment process

Tehran/Vienna, Feb 9

Iran Tuesday started the 20-percent uranium enrichment process, the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization said.

UAE, Poland strengthen economic ties

Abu Dhabi, Feb 9

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Poland have increased bilateral economic cooperation following the visit of a UAE delegation to Poland, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.

Sri Lankan parliament dissolved

Colombo, Feb 9

Parliament in Sri Lanka has been dissolved with effect from midnight Tuesday ahead of new elections, officials said.

Hostel warden arrested for sexually exploiting inmates

Shimla, Feb 9

A hostel warden was arrested Tuesday in Himachal Pradesh on charges of sexually exploiting nine poor tribal girls for more than a year, the police said.

Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
Name	Email:
Comment:

Please login to use this service
Usermame :
Password :
Quick signup \| Forgot Password