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EastEnders star Steve McFadden settles News of the World damages claim EastEnders star Steve McFadden settles News of the World damages claim
(about 1 hour later)
Steve McFadden, the actor who plays Phil Mitchell in EastEnders, has settled his damages claim against the News of the World and the police over hacking and leaks about his private life to the paper.Steve McFadden, the actor who plays Phil Mitchell in EastEnders, has settled his damages claim against the News of the World and the police over hacking and leaks about his private life to the paper.
Tamsin Allen, representing McFadden, told a high court judge in London on Tuesday that a police officer had sold private information about the actor to a News Of The World journalist in 2010.Tamsin Allen, representing McFadden, told a high court judge in London on Tuesday that a police officer had sold private information about the actor to a News Of The World journalist in 2010.
Allen also said former News of the World reporter Dan Evans had admitted attempting to intercept McFadden’s voicemail messages.Allen also said former News of the World reporter Dan Evans had admitted attempting to intercept McFadden’s voicemail messages.
The lawyer told Mr Justice Mann that News of the World publisher News Group Newspapers, a subsidiary of News UK, and the Metropolitan police had agreed to pay substantial damages to McFadden and his legal costs.The lawyer told Mr Justice Mann that News of the World publisher News Group Newspapers, a subsidiary of News UK, and the Metropolitan police had agreed to pay substantial damages to McFadden and his legal costs.
The police and publisher of the now defunct newspaper made a joint statement in open court, apologising to McFadden for the intrusion into his privacy.The police and publisher of the now defunct newspaper made a joint statement in open court, apologising to McFadden for the intrusion into his privacy.
The actor said that for years “false and private information about me has appeared in the press” and that now he could “finally understand how some of the information came to be published”.The actor said that for years “false and private information about me has appeared in the press” and that now he could “finally understand how some of the information came to be published”.
McFadden added: “I am particularly concerned that a police officer sold my privacy to a tabloid newspaper for profit. I consider the payment of damages and public apology will go some way to ensuring respect for my and others’ privacy in future. I am glad to have been vindicated and to be able to put this matter behind me.”McFadden added: “I am particularly concerned that a police officer sold my privacy to a tabloid newspaper for profit. I consider the payment of damages and public apology will go some way to ensuring respect for my and others’ privacy in future. I am glad to have been vindicated and to be able to put this matter behind me.”
He sued the paper for hacking his phone and the Met over a leak to Evans about a raid on his house. Evans and a police officer have pleaded guilty to these offences. He sued the paper for hacking his phone and the Met over a leak to Evans about a raid on his house. Evans and a police officer, Sam Azuelos, have pleaded guilty to these offences.
Evans pleaded guilty last year to agreeing an unlawful £750 payment to Azuelos about information on the raid on McFadden’s house in 2010.
The raid followed a false allegation by McFadden’s then partner about the actor having guns at his house. No guns were found.
In a statement issued by law firm Bindmans, it was revealed that McFadden had claimed damages for another incident in which he was arrested following what they described as “false information being provided to the police”.In a statement issued by law firm Bindmans, it was revealed that McFadden had claimed damages for another incident in which he was arrested following what they described as “false information being provided to the police”.
Bindmans said: “Although he had arranged to visit the police station voluntarily, the appointment was cancelled and he was arrested early in the morning with a photographer present. Information about the arrest was then published in the News of the World. He believes that information about the arrest was provided unlawfully by the police to the newspaper.”Bindmans said: “Although he had arranged to visit the police station voluntarily, the appointment was cancelled and he was arrested early in the morning with a photographer present. Information about the arrest was then published in the News of the World. He believes that information about the arrest was provided unlawfully by the police to the newspaper.”
Bindmans said the claim is one of the first to succeed against the police for the sale of information to the press.Bindmans said the claim is one of the first to succeed against the police for the sale of information to the press.
Allen said: “This is a case where there was no possible public interest in the sale of this information. An officer failed in his duty to the public by seeking a private profit from a newspaper that was prepared to corrupt a public servant. This was the reality of journalism at the News of the World.”Allen said: “This is a case where there was no possible public interest in the sale of this information. An officer failed in his duty to the public by seeking a private profit from a newspaper that was prepared to corrupt a public servant. This was the reality of journalism at the News of the World.”