LONDON – Police launched a fresh inquiry into the phone hacking controversy last night after receiving "significant new information". The Metropolitan Police said detectives had received a dossier of evidence about suspicious activities at the News of the Worldin 2005 and 2006, and a new team would carry out the inquiry. The decision was made after the newspaper handed over material gathered during an internal investigation into assistant editor Ian Edmondson.
The newspaper said Edmondson was sacked as a result of the investigation. He had been suspended from duty in December after he was linked to the scandal in documents relating to legal action by actress Sienna Miller.
Revealing the new inquiry, a police spokesman said: “The Met has today received significant new information relating to allegations of phone hacking at the News of the World in 2005/06. As a result, the Met is launching a new investigation to consider this material.
“This work will be carried out by the specialist crime directorate which has been investigating a related phone hacking allegation since September 2010.”
The new inquiry is one of the most significant developments in the controversy since the News of the World's royal editor was imprisoned in 2007. Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed at the Old Bailey after they admitted intercepting messages.
The pair used mobile phone numbers and secret codes to hack into voicemails of celebrities and other high-profile people.
Until now the Met has repeatedly batted away calls for a new inquiry despite a steady flow of people also claiming to be victims of the scam. However, acting commissioner Tim Godwin and director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer recently announced that senior lawyers would review existing evidence.
Last week Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson resigned, claiming the ongoing clamour was poisoning his work. Mr Coulson was editor of the News of the Worldwhen Goodman was charged and stepped down the day he was jailed.
News International said: “Mr Edmondson was suspended in December 2010 following a serious allegation. Material evidence found during the course of the subsequent investigation has led to Mr Edmondson’s dismissal.” – (PA)