Reveal who ordered phone hacking: UK court

4 Jul 2012, 7:40 pm   -   Source: AAP

A private investigator must reveal who ordered him to hack mobile phone voice mails on behalf of the News of the World, Britain's Supreme Court has ruled.

Britain's Supreme Court says a private investigator must reveal who ordered him to hack mobile phone voicemails on behalf of a tabloid newspaper.

Glenn Mulcaire was jailed briefly in 2007 for eavesdropping on the phone messages of royal aides on behalf of the now-defunct News of the World.

Actor Steve Coogan is suing Mulcaire and Rupert Murdoch's News International after being told his phones had been hacked and wants Mulcaire to provide evidence for his case.

Mulcaire had asked five Supreme Court justices to rule on whether he must disclose who instructed him.

Mulcaire said his lawyers advised him that he should not have to give "potentially incriminating answers" to questions asked in civil litigation at the High Court, and the appeal was made to protect his "legitimate legal interests".

At the Supreme Court on Wednesday, all five justices unanimously dismissed his appeal.

Mulcaire says he is at risk of being charged with criminal offences, and faces damages claims at the High Court, many of which have been brought by celebrities.

He fears he may incriminate himself if he answers questions in the civil proceedings.

Mulcaire appealed to the Supreme Court after losing fights in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

His battle began after Nicola Phillips, who was an assistant to public relations consultant Max Clifford, claimed her voicemail had been unlawfully intercepted.

Judges in the High Court and Appeal Court ruled that Mr Mulcaire should disclose information relating to Ms Phillips's claim.

After the hearing, in a statement issued through his lawyer, Mulcaire said: "I will comply with the Supreme Court ruling to answer questions in Ms Phillips' case.

"I will consider with my lawyers what the wider implications of this judgment are, if and when I am asked to answer questions in other cases."

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube