Steve Coogan seeking damages from News of the World
Comedian Steven Coogan is planning to sue Newspaper News of the
World over claims it illegally hacked into his mobile phone
messages.
Coogan claims the tabloid's investigator, Glen Mulcaire,
intercepted his voicemail messages and misused the information. He
claims that his voicemails were intercepted between February 2005
and August 2006, but currently does not know the full extent of the
interception and is waiting on the paper, the Metropolitan Police
and the Information Commissioner to make a full disclosure.
Investigating officers told Coogan that Mulcaire had access to
his mobile phone number, account number, and password.
Mulcaire's services were contracted to 'provide research and
information' on well-known individuals. He was paid £105,000 a year
in 2005, as well as £12,300 in cash payments from News of the
World.
Coogan now wants compensation from publishers News Group
Newspapers and Mulcaire personally and is demanding aggravated and
exemplary damages.
The comedian is seeking an injunction banning the paper and
Mulcaire from using the information they have gathered, as well as
an order forcing Mulcaire to disclose the names of the individuals
who employed him. He also wants possession all the documents and
materials that were obtained during the hacking.
Mulcaire and Royal Editor Clive Goodman pleaded guilty to phone
hacking at the Old Bailey in November 2006, admitting they had
gained access to voicemail messages from three members of the Royal
Household. Mulcaire also admitting intercepting voicemails left for
Max Clifford, soccer agent Skylet Andrews, Gordon Taylor, MP Simon
Hughes, and supermodel Elle Macpherson.
Goodman was jailed for four months and News of the World editor
Andy Coulson resigned after the scandal.
The paper has already settled claims from Gordon Taylor and Max
Clifford, paying around £700,000 and £1 million respectively.