14 MPs are 'likely phone hack victims'

The names of 14 current and former MPs and 10 peers have so far been found in materials seized from private investigator Glenn Mulcaire by police investigating phone-hacking, it was revealed today.

The officer in charge of the investigation told a parliamentary committee that, among those named, 14 MPs and four peers were "likely victims of phone-hacking".

Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Sue Akers, who is leading the Operation Weeting inquiry, said that all the individuals involved have been informed.

Ms Akers told the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which is carrying out its own investigation into hacking: "Our inquiries continue and there is a possibility that further MPs and peers may yet be identified and contacted.

"It is important, therefore, not to regard this information as definitive."

Ms Akers' office told the committee last month that it was unable to provide them with the names of MPs and peers identified in the Mulcaire papers, but later agreed to give them details of the numbers involved.

The Committee today also published a letter it has received from News Corporation Europe chairman and chief executive James Murdoch, setting out the measures the company has put in place to strengthen corporate governance over the past year.

Mr Murdoch said that 330 staff members have received training on anti-bribery and corruption legislation, as well as the requirements of the News International anti-bribery policy.

The company is reviewing and updating policies governing record retention and management and information security to ensure that they are "sufficiently clear, comprehensive and robust", said Mr Murdoch.

Mr Murdoch also noted the company's creation last year of the role of Chief Compliance Officer and of an independent Management and Standards Committee with responsibility for liaising with the Leveson Inquiry on press standards and police, as well as conducting civil litigation.

News International editorial staff in the UK were all issued in 2011 with copies of the editors' code of practice and informed of new policies on whistle-blowing, workplace conduct, data protection, anti-bribery measures and the circumstances in which journalists and editors may make payments for information in connection with stories.

PA