US launches 9/11 hacking probe

US authorities have launched a probe into possible phone hacking of September 11, 2001 victims by News Corp journalists, victims’ relatives have been told, according to a Justice Department official.

During a 75-minute “initial” meeting with about 10 people whose relatives died during the terrorist attacks in New York, US attorney general Eric Holder “broke protocol by acknowledging there is an investigation”, said an attorney for the victims’ families, Norman Siegel.

Holder “listened to their questions, told them the department was taking the allegations seriously, that the allegations were disturbing,” said the Justice Department official, who confirmed a probe into the affair was running and was in a “preliminary stage”.