LONDON -- Britain's most senior policeman ordered an inquiry Thursday into claims that journalists from a tabloid owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch illegally hacked into the mobile phones of hundreds of celebrities and politicians. Lawmakers also demanded answers after The Guardian reported that the News of the World _ the country's most popular Sunday paper _ paid private investigators to obtain voice mail messages, private phone numbers, bank statements and other information about figures including Gwyneth Paltrow, George Michael and some of the country's most senior politicians. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the story "raises questions that are serious and will obviously have to be answered." Metropolitan Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson said he had appointed a senior Scotland Yard officer to look into the allegations against the News of the World, which is owned by News International Ltd., a subsidiary of Murdoch's News Corp., owner of U.S. media outlets including Fox Television, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
LONDON -- Britain's most senior policeman ordered an inquiry Thursday into claims that journalists from a tabloid owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch illegally hacked into the mobile phones of hundreds of celebrities and politicians.
Lawmakers also demanded answers after The Guardian reported that the News of the World _ the country's most popular Sunday paper _ paid private investigators to obtain voice mail messages, private phone numbers, bank statements and other information about figures including Gwyneth Paltrow, George Michael and some of the country's most senior politicians.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the story "raises questions that are serious and will obviously have to be answered."
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson said he had appointed a senior Scotland Yard officer to look into the allegations against the News of the World, which is owned by News International Ltd., a subsidiary of Murdoch's News Corp., owner of U.S. media outlets including Fox Television, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
