guardian.co.uk
Added: Feb 9, 2012
Rupert Murdoch firm settles 21 cases to avoid civil trials as 50 public figures start claims over hacking at News of the World
The footballer Peter Crouch, the singer James Blunt, and Ukip's leader, Nigel Farage, are among 50 public figures preparing fresh phone hacking cases against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers, it emerged in the high court on Wednesday, after the company reached settlements with another 21 victims.
The comedian Steve Coogan and the Liberal Democrats' deputy leader, Simon Hughes, attended the court to receive settlements worth £40,000 and £45,000 respectively – averting civil trials that had otherwise been due to start on Monday – as the company paid out at least £363,000 in declared damages on top of £645,000 paid out to 37 other people last month.