Sleaze watchdog to probe hacking (From Bucks Free Press)

Sleaze watchdog to probe hacking

1:53pm Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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The phone-hacking row has escalated as MPs approved an investigation by a parliamentary sleaze watchdog.

The new investigation intensifies the pressure on David Cameron's communications chief Andy Coulson.

Claims MPs' mobiles were hacked by News of the World (NotW) reporters will be examined by the powerful Standards and Privileges Committee. All parties backed the fresh probe - sparked by Labour frontbencher Chris Bryant who said he believed many MPs from all sides of the Commons had been targeted.

Ex-royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed for intercepting voicemail messages left for public figures in 2007.

But the row was reignited last week when a former reporter claimed that then NotW editor Mr Coulson had been aware such eavesdropping was happening - an allegation he strongly denies.

Mr Bryant told the Commons he was one of the MPs who had contacted the Metropolitan Police and been told that he was on a list of those allegedly targeted by Mulcaire. But he said he suspected that was the "tip of the iceberg" and hacking extended not just to Labour MPs but also to Liberal Democrats and Tories.

He said hacking into MPs' phones was "a contempt of Parliament, a severe breach of parliamentary privilege" which could compromise their right to speak freely, which "stems in essence from the 1689 Bill of Rights".

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg urged the police to probe new phone-hacking allegations swirling around Mr Coulson "as quickly and thoroughly as possible".

In a statement, the News of the World said: "This matter, which largely relates to alleged behaviour five years ago, has become intensely partisan. Amidst a swirl of untethered allegations, there should be no doubt that the News of the World will investigate any allegation of wrongdoing when presented with evidence. As we have always made clear, we have a zero-tolerance approach to wrongdoing and will take swift and decisive action if we have proof."

A spokesman for the Standards and Privileges Committee said it was due to meet on Tuesday and would discuss how to take forward the House's instructions.