Hacking ‘contempt’ enquiries made

Parliamentary and legal experts are being asked whether hacking into the phones of MPs constitutes "contempt of Parliament", a Commons sleaze watchdog has announced.

Allegations that politicians' mobile phones were being hacked by members of the press were referred to the Commons standards and privileges committee.

But the committee decided, after an initial meeting, that it will look first at general issues before it considers any specifics.

A statement by the cross-party group of MPs read: "The committee has agreed to start its inquiry by seeking evidence from the Clerk of the House and from outside experts on the law of Parliament on whether, and if so in what circumstances, hacking of MPs' phones could be a contempt of Parliament.

"The committee will not be looking into any specific allegations at this stage of its inquiry. When it has reviewed this evidence, the committee will consider what further steps to take."

Labour MP Chris Bryant referred the case to the committee and has lodged proceedings for a judicial review of the matter.

News of the World ex-royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glen Mulcaire were imprisoned in 2007 for hacking into the voicemails of public figures.