UK: We've Got Hundreds of New Phone-Hacking Victims

A lawyer for victims of phone hacking by the News of the World says a new conspiracy uncovered by British investigators has hundreds of potential victims. Hugh Tomlinson made the announcement today at Britain's High Court during legal arguments related to lawsuits against News of the World publisher News International. He didn't go into much detail, other than to say that those hundreds of victims could demand millions of extra pounds in damages.

The revelation came on the same day British politicians said they had struck a last-minute deal over press regulation. "I think we have got an agreement which protects the freedom of the press ... but also protects the rights of people not to have their lives turned upside down," a senior opposition leader said. The new regulator would be independent of the media and would have the power to force newspapers to print prominent apologies. Submitting to the regulatory regime would be optional, but media groups staying outside the system could risk substantial fines if they get stories wrong. (More News of the World stories.)