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VICTIMS: Politicians and stars ‘caught in the trap’
Terry Kirby09.07.09
The list of those targeted in News of the World operations to hack mobile phones and purchase confidential information is a wide cross-section from the worlds of politics and showbusiness, containing many famous names.
But Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, whose court action against News Group Newspapers is at the centre of today's disclosures, is a much less well known public figure.
A former professional footballer, he has headed the PFA for many years and is reputed to be the highest-paid union leader in the country. However, he is likely to have been targeted because of his knowledge of top transfer deals, particularly the use of illicit payments, and the private lives of players.
Mr Taylor was eventually awarded more than £400,000 in damages to settle his action against the News of the World, in return for an agreement not to discuss the case.
The mobile phone of Max Clifford, the PR agent who has been the source of a number of News of the World stories in the past, was another on the list. Since Clifford now claims to spend most of his time keeping stories out of the media, the News of the World would have had an interest in stories he was not attempting to sell them. But Clifford had broken off contact with the paper over their handling of stories involving one of his clients, Kerry Katona. The late Jade Goody was another name on the list.
Supermodel Elle MacPherson may have been chosen because of her socialite connections or relationship with financier Arpad Busson, who is now with Hollywood star Uma Thurman. Simon Hughes, the Lib Dem MP, has faced a number of questions about his sex life.
John Prescott, targeted in 2006, was then deputy prime minister and the subject of a number of stories — about his son's business links, his visit to Texan businessman Philip Anschutz when he was bidding for a casino licence and his two-year affair with his secretary, Tracey Temple.
Gywneth Paltrow, the actress and wife of Coldplay singer Chris Martin, is also a friend of Madonna. Boris Johnson, then a Tory MP, would have been of interest because of a reported ex-marital affair.
MP Tessa Jowell was also on the list, possibly because of her husband's business links with Silvio Berlusconi, who was then being investigated by Italian authorities.
In the related case involving private investigator Steve Whittamore, journalists from the News of the World and the Sun were said to have requested information from a series of official computers, including police records, the DVLA, British Telecom and the Inland Revenue in breach of the Data Protection Act.
Those named by the Guardian as having had their British Telecom records disclosed in order to obtain ex-directory numbers or addresses include TV chef Nigella Lawson, actors Patsy Kensit and Jude Law and his former wife, Sadie Frost, model and television presenter Lisa Snowdon, a former girlfriend of actor George Clooney, broadcasters Anne Robinson and Vanessa Feltz and comedian Lenny Henry.
Reader views (6)
I couldn't give two hoots if 'celebs' phones are hacked. They do nothing useful to mankind, just fill the coffers of newspapers and liberate the less intelligent of their money.
I see Coleen's son may have swine flu. Hold the front page - not. Who cares? I'm not normally a supporter of the police state we have here in the UK however I do admire their reluctance to get involved in this case. Let them fight it in court if they want, should be good for a laugh.
I think the Guardian is just sore that it didn't open up the coffers for the uncensored 'scoop of the decade' expenses data.
What about us mere mortals right to privacy; my e-mails, phone calls, web usage, cctv and the rest? Until they s*d off with all this I will just sit back and indulge in a bit of schadenfreude.
Pop corn please and get back to ripping the politicians a new one!
- Man In The Street, London, UK
Dont forget this is the goverment that is busy passing laws that will give it the right to check EVERY tex,EVERY phone call,EVERY email we make,kettle,pan and black springs to mind when campbell,mandy and co start throwing mud.
- V Birchall, selby
What a convenient distraction for the discredited politicians. This is a non story. Lets get back to putting Parliament in order
- John, Edgware MIDDLESEX
I feel no sympathy for labour politicians who have been bugged,after all isn't this what looney labour wants to do to the public, to read our emails and to listen to our telephone conversations
- Carol Taylor, Romford England
"...the man who authorised this shameful business..."
Standard fare from Keith. The evidence for this authorization is available to you I take it? Cameron shouldn't employ the man because Labour have latched onto the issue in their desperation to divert attention from their own failings and to smear the tories any way they can? Cameron should pre-judge the man (as you, Val and the other flailing socialist die-hards have)?
Do we even know why the man resigned two years ago? Was it ahead of being found out, in which case he will be exposed in due course with CLEAR EVIDENCE, or was it because he wanted nothing to do with it? No one knows yet, other than, that is, people like Keith and co. who WANT it to be the former rather than KNOW it to be so.
- Rogan, Irving
"journalists from the News of the World and the Sun reqwested information from a series of official computers, including police records, the DVLA, British Telecom and the Inland Revenue in breach of the Data Protection Act."
To think that the man who authorised this shameful business is employed by David Cameron as a Chief Adviser to the Tory Party is horrific, and the fact that david is "relaxed" about today's disclosures paints a true picture of the man who wants to be our next OM. Heaven forbid.
- Keith Price, Luton, England
