Chancellor on hacking target list
CHANCELLOR George Osborne yesterday joined the unenviable roll-call of people targeted by News of the World phone hackers.
Police visited Osborne last night to tell him that his personal details appeared on notes kept by convicted criminal Glenn Mulcaire and shamed former News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman.
It is not clear if Osborne’s name and number were added to the list before or after he became chancellor.
A spokesman for the Osborne said: “George was very grateful to the police. Frankly he thinks there are far more serious allegations surrounding the whole hacking affair and fully supports the police in their investigations.” He was first contacted by police last week.
Osborne joins an ever-expanding list of celebrities, victims of crime and public figures who appear to have had their voicemails intercepted by the newspaper.
Last night it emerged families of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan could be among those targeted.
News of the World owner News International said it would be “absolutely appalled and horrified” if the revelation is true.
Murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s phone was hacked after her murder and the parents of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both killed by Ian Huntley, are also said to be victims.