UK firms hacking claims worrying: minister

UK Home Secretary Theresa May says claims phone hacking was carried out on behalf of British law firms and other companies are worrying.

UK Home Secretary Theresa May

CLAIMS that phone hacking was carried out on behalf of British law, telecoms, and insurance firms are worrying, Home Secretary Theresa May says.

According to a report by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), leaked to The Independent newspaper, the companies routinely used criminals and investigators to hack and steal information on business rivals and members of the public.

One hacker admitted that 80 per cent of his client list was made up of such firms, with the remaining 20 per cent attributed to the media, according to the newspaper.

The Home Affairs committee will meet on Tuesday to decide whether to recall Soca for questioning about documents reportedly showing it knew about the alleged activities six years ago.

Conservative Mrs May, responding to a question from Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee chairman John Whittingdale, told the Commons on Monday: "The question of phone hacking has been a matter that has caused disquiet in this House for some time in relation to some of the aspects regarding to the Press.

"But suggestions that it could have been more widespread are of course equally worrying."