Celebs settle hacking claims - UK - ITN.co.uk Dozens of celebrities and politicians have now settled damages claims with News International over the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, the High Court heard on Thursday. High-profile names including Jude Law, his ex-wife Sadie Frost, Ashley Cole, Lord Prescott and Labour MP Chris Bryant have all reach settlements. Shaun Russell, whose wife and daughter were killed in Kent in 1996, and the mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne, Sara, are also among 36 claimants the court heard. Mark Thomson, of law firm Atkins Thomson, who represents some of the claimants, said: "All of the claimants have been extremely brave to take on and succeed against a massive and influential multinational media organisation. They can take the credit for triggering the new police investigation, the parliamentary inquiries and the Leveson Inquiry. They should be very pleased with what they have achieved. A number of claimants are still pursuing the matter to trial and, as a result, NGN will continue to disclose further information and evidence. Settlement have also been confirmed to former cavalry officer James Hewitt, who had an affair with Diana, Princess of Wales, former MP George Galloway, Welsh rugby star Gavin Henson, singer Dannii Minogue, Calum Best, and designer Meg Matthews, the ex-wife of former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher.