Star couple settle phone-hacking case but plan more suits

CELEBRITY couple Leslie Ash and Lee Chapman have settled their phone hacking claim against the News of the World - and now plan to take action against other newspapers.

The actress and the former footballer sued the now-closed Sunday tabloid over fears that it illegally listened to their voicemails while Ash was recovering from a superbug in hospital in 2004. The couple said they were “pleased” the claims they and their sons brought against the publishers, News Group Newspapers, and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire had been settled.

But they added that they believe phone hacking also went on at other media organisations and intend to bring claims against other papers.

Meanwhile the News of the World’s former US editor was being questioned yesterday over phone hacking at the axed tabloid.

James Desborough, who won a British Press Award in 2009, was arrested by appointment at a South London police station, sources said.

He was being quizzed over voicemail interceptions alleged to have taken place before his switch from London to Los Angeles, those close to the investigation added.

The 38-year-old, who joined the paper as a showbusiness and news reporter in 2005 before being promoted to US editor in 2009, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to intercept voicemails.

He was bailed last night until a date in October after several hours of questioning.

He is among journalists in the midst of a 90-day consultation period following News International’s decision to kill off the paper in the wake of the scandal.