At the centre of the News of the World hacking scandal stands its owner Rupert Murdoch. These allegations have rocked his Newscorp empire to its core as politicians debate the wisdom of allowing one man so much power, writes John Daly

MANCHESTER United and England footballer Wayne Rooney yesterday accepted £100,000 (€145,000) damages from the publishers of The Sun and the News of the World after the two newspapers falsely alleged he slapped his fiancee, Coleen McLoughlin.

Top jockey Kieren Fallon today accepted undisclosed libel damages over a claim that he made an unprovoked attack on a fellow rider.

Singer Justin Timberlake today accepted “substantial”, undisclosed libel damages over allegations that he had a secret fling with a model behind the back of girlfriend Cameron Diaz.

THE girlfriend of Manchester United and England football star Gary Neville accepted “substantial” libel damages yesterday over newspaper allegations that she was unfaithful to him during the Euro 2004 championship.

Investigative journalist Roger Cook today settled his High Court libel action over "devastating" claims that his TV series, The Cook Report, was a cynical sham.