UK newspaper accused of phone hacking

UK police are to investigate claims that the British paper News of the World ran a huge mobile phone hacking operation.



The BBC says there are speculations that reporters for the newspaper paid private investigators to hack into phones.



It is alleged that many of the phones were owned by politicians and celebrities.



Another British newspaper the Guardian alleged that former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, London Mayor Boris Johnson, former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and model Elle MacPherson were among two or three thousand public figures targeted by the hacking operation.



Lawyers say if the allegations against the News of the World are proven to be true, the paper could face damages claims amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds.