Paul Gascoigne to sue over alleged phone hacking

Former England and Rangers footballer Paul Gascoigne is reported to be the latest celebrity to sue the News of the World, alleging he was a victim of phone-hacking.

Comedian Steve Coogan has also issued proceedings, and television presenter Chris Tarrant and jockey Kieren Fallon are also expected to launch legal actions soon. Actress Sienna Miller has already lodged documents in the High Court in London in connection with the scandal.

The latest development came after prosecutors announced they are to trawl through all the material collected by Scotland Yard linked to the phone hacking scandal in a move which could spark fresh prosecutions.

Reporter Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were jailed over the controversy in January 2007 after they admitted intercepting messages at the Old Bailey. Director of Prosecutions Keir Starmer said the "comprehensive assessment" of evidence would ascertain whether further criminal charges could be brought.

Gascoigne's solicitor, Gerald Shamash, confirmed proceedings would be issued within days. Mr Shamash claimed that Gascoigne was in a vulnerable mental state, and his recovery had been hindered because of the trauma of believing his phone had been hacked.