More phone-hack cases settled at the High Court

More high-profile figures have settled their phone-hacking damages claims, the High Court heard today.

Ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne, comedian Steve Coogan, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes and football agent Sky Andrew are among those who have reached settlements with News of the World publisher News Group Newspapers.

But Hugh Tomlinson QC, who represents some of the ten claimants whose case was due to go to trial next week, said a claim by singer Charlotte Church and her parents had not been resolved.

The announcement, at a hearing in London before Mr Justice Vos, came during the latest in a number of pre-trial reviews in preparation for the long-awaited trial.

Last month 37 other claims were settled with News International subsidiary NGN.

The court heard that Coogan had settled his claim for £40,000. Hughes receives £45,000 and Andrew receives £75,000, while Gascoigne receives £68,000.

Sally King, a friend of former Home Secretary David Blunkett, receives £60,000, her husband Andrew receives £50,000 and her father and brother receive substantial undisclosed damages.

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The court heard that 15 new settlements had been reached, including nine of the ten which were due to be heard at next week’s trial.

These ten claimants were thought to include Church and her parents, Coogan, Andrew, singer Pete Doherty, MP Simon Hughes, Tracey Temple, who had a relationship with Lord Prescott, jockey Kieren Fallon and racing trainer Samantha Wallin and the King family.

Tony Blair’s former adviser Alastair Campbell and Phil Hughes, the late George Best’s friend and former agent, are also understood to be in the process of settling.

Campbell released a statement today saying he had reached a “satisfactory” settlement.

Another five cases are unable to be heard on February 13 for technical reasons.

Those are model Elle Macpherson’s former adviser Mary Ellen Field, footballer Ryan Giggs, former royal butler Paul Burrell, police officer and Crimewatch regular Jacqui Hames and her husband David Cook, and PR consultant Nicola Phillips.