Seven 'NOTW' phone-hacking victims to receive compensation

Media group News International has said that seven public figures will receive compensation after their phone hacking claims against the publisher of the now-defunct British tabloid News of the World were settled.

People to receive settlements from the News International subsidiary, News Group Newspapers (NGN), includes former Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten, TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, former Army officer James Hewitt, 7/7 hero Paul Dadge, celebrities Abi Titmuss and Calum Best, and Michelle Milburn, who is reportedly a theatrical agent.

News International confirmed in a statement that it had settled seven privacy claims, Express.co.uk reports.

"News International can confirm that seven claims against News Group Newspapers and Glenn Mulcaire have been settled following discussions with News Corporation's Management and Standards Committee, acting on behalf of NGN," the statement said.

"The claims are Mark Oaten, Ulrika Jonsson, Abi Titmuss, Michelle Milburn, Paul Dadge, James Hewitt and Calum Best. NGN has agreed to pay appropriate sums by way of compensation and costs and have expressed regret for the distress caused," it added.

According to the report, former England footballer Paul Gascoigne's case that he was a victim of phone hacking also looked close to being resolved.

A lawyer said that Gascoigne's case "is settling" during a brief hearing at the High Court.

Counsel Jeremy Reed, who represents various claimants in the News of the World phone hacking claims, made the announcement.