Police must hand over files

Steve Coogan has won his first legal victory in his action against the News Of The World's alleged phone-hacking.

A High Court judge has ordered London’s Metropolitan Police to hand over seized documents relating to the case, Sky News reports.

Officers took the papers when they raided the premises of private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who has previously been jailed for six months for his part in hacking phones belonging to Royal staff.

Today’s court order follows similar victories for the lawyers of other stars taking action over the alleged hacking, including Sienna Miller and newly-sacked football commentator Andy Grey.

Coogan’s lawyers are expected to return to the High Court next month to try to force Glenn Mulcaire to reveal who asked him to hack phones, and what he did with the information he gleaned from the calls.

Mulcaire is refusing to disclose any information because he says to do so might incriminate him.

Published: 26 Jan 2011