News of the World Executive Suspended Over Alleged Phone Hacking

A senior News of the World executive has been suspended following a "serious allegation" related to phone hacking.

Ian Edmondson, the title's assistant editor (news), was suspended before Christmas, shortly after the Guardian obtained court documents which alleged he had asked private investigator Glenn Mulcaire to hack into phones belonging to actress Sienna Miller and her staff. Miller is suing the paper's parent company News Group Newspapers.

The News of the World confirmed in a statement today that Edmondson, who was hired by former editor Andy Coulson, had been suspended on full pay. Coulson is now David Cameron's director of communications.

"A serious allegation has been made about the conduct of a member of the News of the World staff," the paper said.

"We have followed our internal procedures and we can confirm that this person was suspended from active duties just before Christmas.

The paper added that it is carrying out its own internal investigation into the allegation and that "appropriate action will be taken" if they are found to be true.

Read more here and follow us on Twitter!

Sienna Miller Seeks Damages From Murdoch Newspaper Over Hacking

Actress Sienna Miller is seeking damages from the U.K.’s News of the World newspaper for hacking the voice mail on three of her phones to get personal information, according to court documents.

Miller claims the newspaper, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., paid private investigator Glenn Mulcaire 2,500 pounds ($3,270) a week to eavesdrop on personal messages between her, her friends and business associates. The actress, who also works as a model and fashion designer, claims news editor Ian Edmondson approved the work contract.

Miller, whose movies include “Layer Cake” and “Factory Girl,” is seeking an injunction to restrain the newspaper from “using, accessing or attempting to access voicemail messages left for her or by her and from publishing or causing to be published any confidential information,” as well as “exemplary damages” according to a court document dated Nov. 30.

Read more here and follow us on Twitter!

Prescott May Seek Judicial Review of Phone Hack Claims

Lord Prescott has said he is prepared to take legal action to find out whether News of The World journalists hacked into his phone messages.

The ex-deputy prime minister said he would seek a judicial review if the police did not say whether claims his phone had been tapped were true.

The paper's royal editor was jailed for conspiracy to access messages in 2007.

The paper said that was an isolated case, but suspended a reporter earlier this year pending an investigation.

It has also confirmed it was looking into the conduct of a unnamed journalist regarding alleged attempts to hack into the phone of a public figure. The paper said it would take "swift and decisive action" if there was proof of wrongdoing

Last year, the Metropolitan Police chose not to launch an investigation into claims, made by the Guardian newspaper, that a host of public figures - including Lord Prescott - had had their messages hacked by journalists.

'Clearly available'

At the time, it said the evidence did not warrant it and suggested Lord Prescott's phone had not been tapped.

But Lord Prescott told the BBC this had never been confirmed and he now wanted to "find the truth".

He said he expected to hear from the police next week and, if he did not, he would take further action.


Read more here and follow us on Twitter!