The News of the World’s owner has admitted there were at least eight victims of phone hacking News International has written to another nine claimants in the phone-hacking scandal asking for further evidence that journalists intercepted their voicemail, it has emerged.
On Friday, the News of the World apologised to eight victims of hacking and set up a £20m compensation fund.
It has now come to light a further nine alleged victims received letters in which liability was not admitted.
A News International spokesman has confirmed the letters were sent.
The claims of the further nine claimants will be considered by lawyers at the News of the World’s parent company before a decision is made on whether they are also entitled to an apology and compensation.
On Sunday Charlotte Harris, a lawyer for some of the people who have accused the News of the World – including football agent Sky Andrew – said as many as 7,000 people might have been affected.
She said Mr Andrew would not accept a settlement until full disclosure about the newspaper’s behaviour was made.
On the same day lawyers for two of the News of the World’s phone-hacking victims – actress Sienna Miller and publicist Nicola Phillips – said the paper’s apology and offer of compensation were not enough.
The News of the World printed an apology over the long-running phone-hacking scandal in its latest edition.
The BBC understands that News International is ready to settle claims with eight people, including former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, her estranged husband, lawyer David Mills, designer Kelly Hoppen, sports broadcaster Andy Gray, and Joan Hammell, a former aide to ex-Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott.
There are 24 active claims against the paper being heard by High Court judge Mr Justice Vos.
In 2007, the first police investigation led to the convictions and imprisonment of then NoW royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who was employed by the paper.
Last week, the NoW’s chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, 50, and former news editor Ian Edmondson, 42, were arrested on suspicion of having unlawfully intercepted voicemail messages. They were subsequently released on bail until September.
News International – which also owns the Times and the Sun newspapers – said it would continue to co-operate with the Metropolitan Police inquiry.
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