Jonsson set to sue newspaper in phone hacking scandal

Ulrika Jonsson is planning to take legal action against the News of the World in connection with alleged phone hacking, a law firm representing the television presenter said today.

A spokesman for law firm Mishcon de Reya confirmed that Jonsson is being represented by media law specialist Charlotte Harris, who is also acting for football agent Sky Andrew, actress Leslie Ash and several MPs.

Last month News International admitted liability over a number of phone hacking cases involving the News Of The World and set up a compensation scheme to deal with “justifiable claims”.

Three journalists at the paper have been arrested since the Metropolitan Police reopened its inquiry into claims that staff hacked into the answerphone messages of celebrities and politicians.

A host of high-profile names who have made claims against the News of the World, including actress Sienna Miller and former culture secretary Tessa Jowell, have received apologies from the newspaper.

It has been estimated that News International has set aside £20m (€22.85m) for payouts.

Scotland Yard has endured repeated criticism over its handling of the original phone-hacking inquiry, which led to the conviction of News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in 2007.

The paper’s former editor, Andy Coulson, resigned as Prime Minister David Cameron’s director of communications in January as he admitted that the ongoing row about the affair was making his job impossible.

Days later the Met launched a fresh investigation, codenamed Weeting, after receiving “significant new information” from News International.