Ulrika Jonsson to sue News of the World over alleged phone hacking

Ulrika Jonsson has become the latest high-profile figure to announce their intention to take legal proceedings against the News of the World over alleged phone hacking.


Making the announcement, the law firm Mishcon de Reya confirmed that the television presenter will be represented by media law specialist Charlotte Harris, who is also acting for Sky Sports commentator Sky Andrew, actor Leslie Ash, and several MPs.


The announcement comes three days after actor Sienna Miller accepted £100,000 in damages and an unconditional admission from the News of the World that it had used information from eavesdropped voicemails to publish articles on her relationship with Jude Law.


Last month News International, which owns the News of the World, admitted liability over a number of phone-hacking cases involving the paper, and set up a compensation scheme to deal with "justifiable claims". It is estimated that £20m has been earmarked for payouts.


A number of other high-profile names, including former culture secretary Tessa Jowell, have received apologies from the paper.


Since January, when the Metropolitan police reopened its inquiry into claims that staff hacked into the messages of celebrities and politicians, three News of the World journalists have been arrested.


Scotland Yard has endured repeated criticism over its handling of the original phone-hacking inquiry, which led to the conviction of News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in 2007.