Phone Hacking: Nine More Settle Actions

Another nine claimants have settled their actions over the News Of The World phone-hacking scandal, the High Court has heard.

Paul Gascoigne, Steve Coogan, Alastair Campbell and Simon Hughes MP are among those who have accepted damages from News Of The World publisher News Group Newspapers (NGN).

The announcement came during the latest in a number of case reviews being held in preparation for a long-awaited trial, due to start next week.

The court heard that 15 new settlements had been reached, including nine of the 10 which were due to be heard in next week's trial.

Hugh Tomlinson QC, who represents some of the claimants, said singer Charlotte Church had not reached an agreement with NGN.

Mr Campbell, former media adviser for Tony Blair, said in a statement he would donate his undisclosed payout to a number of groups.

"This is not, and never has been, about the money, with which I shall be making donations to various organisations including the Labour Party, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Comprehensive Future, Local Schools Network and Clarets Trust.

"At least some small good for the causes I believe in can come out of the criminality and cultural depravity of others."

The court heard Mr Coogan, who likened the tabloid press to the mafia during the Leveson Inquiry into media standards, settled his claim for £40,000.

Mr Gascoigne settled for £68,000, and his friend James 'Five Bellies' Gardner, is said to have accepted "substantial" damages.

Football agent Sky Andrew accepted £75,000, and Phil Hughes, the late George Best's friend and former agent, is also understood to be in the process of settling.

Mr Hughes, Liberal Democrat deputy leader, settled for £45,000.

Sally King, a friend of former home secretary David Blunkett, accepted £60,000, her husband Andrew received £50,000 and her father and brother received "substantial "undisclosed damages.