"MANY tens of thousands" of documents and emails that might be evidence of phone hacking have been found by the publisher of the now-defunct News of the World, Britain's High Court has been told.
The lawyer for News Group Newspapers, which had been ordered to search its internal mail system for any evidence of hacking of a list of public figures, said: "Two very large new caches of documents have been [found] which the current management were unaware of."
The search was not yet finished, Michael Silverleaf, QC, told the court.
The news emerged before Mr Justice Vos, who was conducting pre-trial hearings for civil suits by phone-hacking claimants.
Mr Justice Vos said he wanted five "lead actions", including suits by politicians and celebrities, to be the first considered by the courts.
He accepted Sheila Henry, the mother of a 2005 London bombing victim, as a lead action as she was a victim of a crime and so represented "a new category of people".
Mrs Henry's 28-year-old son, Christian Small, died on his way to work when his train was bombed by terrorists.
A spokesman for News International said: "We take very seriously the matters raised in court . . . and we are committed to working with civil claimants to resolve their cases."
Separately, the company announced that News International chief executive James Murdoch was happy to reappear before the House of Commons hacking inquiry. MPs decided on Tuesday to recall him after two of his former colleagues disputed his claim that he did not know of a crucial phone-hacking email.
Meanwhile in the US, prominent News Corp investors added to their claims in a lawsuit in which they accuse Rupert Murdoch of using the company as his "own private fiefdom" and the company of widespread misconduct.
In March the shareholders launched a US legal action aimed at board members including Mr Murdoch, his sons James and Lachlan, and the media empire's chief operating officer, Chase Carey.
Leading the charge are Amalgamated Bank, the New Orleans Employees' Retirement System and the Central Laborers' Pension Fund.
The latest amended complaint alleges "widespread misconduct" at New Corp subsidiaries including News America Marketing and smartcard manufacturer NDS.
The complaint says the two "have been accused by multiple parties of stealing computer technology, hacking into business plans and computers and violating the law through a wide range of anti-competitive behaviour".
It draws on several lawsuits in which subsidiaries were sued by rival businesses.
The current lawsuit claims NDS posted on the internet the code to the smartcards of a rival, allowing hackers to break into the rival's broadcasts for free.
There was no immediate response from News Corp.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What new evidence was reported in the News of the World phone hacking scandal?
The article says the publisher of the now-defunct News of the World found “many tens of thousands” of documents and emails that might be evidence of phone hacking. Lawyers told Britain’s High Court that two very large caches of documents were discovered and that the internal search was not yet finished.
Which companies and subsidiaries are named in the article about the phone hacking and related lawsuits?
The article mentions News of the World’s publisher (News Group Newspapers / News International), parent company News Corp, and subsidiaries including News America Marketing and smartcard manufacturer NDS. Key individuals named include Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch.
What are investors suing News Corp for in the US shareholder lawsuit?
Prominent shareholders launched a US legal action alleging widespread misconduct at News Corp and accusing Rupert Murdoch of running the company like his “own private fiefdom.” The amended complaint says subsidiaries engaged in anti‑competitive behavior, theft of computer technology, hacking into rivals’ business plans and computers, and other misconduct.
Who are the lead plaintiffs in the US shareholders’ suit against News Corp?
The article identifies Amalgamated Bank, the New Orleans Employees’ Retirement System, and the Central Laborers’ Pension Fund as leading the US shareholder action against News Corp and certain board members.
What specific allegation is made against NDS and why is it significant?
The lawsuit alleges NDS posted the code to a rival’s smartcards on the internet, which allowed hackers to break into the rival’s broadcasts for free. If true, that claim raises serious legal and commercial exposure for the company and its parent.
What legal proceedings are taking place in the UK over the phone hacking claims?
Mr Justice Vos is conducting pre‑trial hearings and has said he wants five “lead actions” — including suits by politicians and celebrities — to be considered first. He also accepted Sheila Henry, mother of a 2005 London bombing victim, as a lead action representative of a new category of victims.
How has News International responded to the court allegations and calls for inquiries?
A News International spokesman said the company takes the matters raised in court very seriously and is committed to working with civil claimants to resolve their cases. Separately, the company announced that chief executive James Murdoch said he was willing to reappear before the House of Commons hacking inquiry.
What should everyday investors watch for next in the News Corp phone hacking and shareholder litigation story?
Based on the article, investors should watch developments in the UK pre‑trial hearings and the selection of lead actions, any new evidence or document discoveries, outcomes of the US shareholder lawsuit (which names senior executives and board members), and official company statements or legal responses. These items could affect legal exposure and reputational risk for the business.
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