Phones of dead British soldiers' families may have been hacked

Relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan may have been victims of News of the World phone hacking, it has emerged.

News International, the newspaper's publisher, said it would be "absolutely appalled and horrified" if there was any truth to the claims.

The latest allegations came after British Prime Minister David Cameron ordered a public inquiry into the scandal and Rupert Murdoch said phone hacking at one of his flagship newspapers was "deplorable and unacceptable".

MPH Solicitors - whose clients include Samantha Roberts, widow of Sgt Steven Roberts, the first British soldier killed in combat in Iraq in 2003 - called for clarity from authorities over the claims.

Solicitor Geraldine McCool said the firm had been contacted by press on Wednesday over the allegations surrounding high-profile military inquests in 2006 and 2007. Ms McCool, a senior lawyer who represented Mrs Roberts, added there was no evidence to show confidential information was obtained through hacking.

And a lawyer for Rose Gentle, whose son Fusilier Gordon Gentle was killed in Iraq in 2004, said he had contacted police to find out if the phones of Ms Gentle and other families were targeted.

Steven Heffer, of Collyer Bristow Solicitors, said: "It is imperative that the families get to the bottom of this issue very quickly as any delay only adds to their grief and suffering. I am hoping the police will deal with their requests for information quickly and sympathetically."

In response to the latest claims, a News International spokesman said: "Our titles have campaigned in support of the military over many years and will continue to do so. If these allegations are true we are absolutely appalled and horrified. We will be contacting the MoD immediately to try and verify the situation."

A spokesman for the MoD, which is understood to be working closely with Scotland Yard on the issue, said: "This is a matter for the Metropolitan Police who are investigating these allegations. It would be inappropriate for us to comment whilst this investigation is ongoing."

The most recent allegations came after Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive of News International's parent company, News Corporation, branded claims of phone hacking at the paper "deplorable and unacceptable".

He backed Rebekah Brooks to continue as chief executive of News International however, despite claims the tabloid hacked murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone while she was editor.