On December 5, 2023, the British newspaper group News Corp reached a settlement over a series of phone-hacking claims brought by celebrities and other individuals, including “Spice Girl” and a former minister who said he was targeted because he was a political opponent.
Settlement Details
According to lawyers, News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun daily and the now-defunct News of the World, which was shut down by its former owner Rupert Murdoch due to its involvement in hacking, issued public apologies and paid “substantial damages” to the claimants.
The Complainants
Among the complainants were Melanie Chisholm, or “Spice Girl” from the famous girl group, actor Keith Allen, and Shane Lynch from the band “Boyzone.” In addition to celebrities, the group included a victim of the London bombings in 2005.
Effects of Hacking
Katie Major from the law firm Hamlyn’s stated that Chisholm, also known as Mel C, said that phone hacking – illegally intercepting voicemails – caused her significant harm. “As a result of the articles published by the defendant, our client became suspicious and uncomfortable about who was the source of the private information published in their newspapers,” said Major.
History of Phone Hacking
The phone hacking scandal first came to public attention in 2006, when a royal reporter and a private investigator working for News of the World were arrested and later convicted of accessing voicemail messages on phones belonging to aides to the British royal family.
Settling the Lawsuits
Subsequent revelations forced Murdoch to close the newspaper five years later, led to the imprisonment of the editor and others, a public inquiry into journalistic standards, and resulted in NGN paying tens of millions of pounds in damages. “As we approach the end of the litigation, NGN is putting to rest contested matters, some dating back more than 20 years,” said an NGN spokesperson.
Other Allegations
Former Energy Minister Chris Huhne said NGN targeted him to destroy his career because he called for a police investigation into the hacking. “This settlement confirms my long-standing claim that News Corporation executives targeted me to eliminate a political opponent,” said Huhne, who reported receiving a six-figure sum in damages and called for the police to reopen their investigations.
NGN’s Denial
NGN stated that it vigorously denies any motivation or corporate direction to obtain information illegally. “Huhne was a high-profile politician, and the published stories were legitimate and in the public interest,” said an NGN spokesperson.
Further Allegations to Come
Other allegations of illegal behavior by journalists at The Sun, including claims from King Charles’ youngest son, Prince Harry, are set to go to trial in 2025.
NGN’s Denial
NGN has consistently denied any wrongdoing at The Sun.
Source: Reuters
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