News of the World publisher settles hacking claims

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News Group Newspapers, publisher of the now-defunct News of the World, has settled seven celebrity phone hacking claims out of court.

NGN confirmed in a statement today that it had reached undisclosed settlements with former Liberal Democrat Mark Oaten, TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, model Abi Titmuss, and theatrical agent Michelle Milburn, as well as James Hewitt, who had a relationship with Princess Diana, Calum Best, son of the footballer George Best, and Paul Dadge, who rescued several people during the 7 July attacks in London.

The publisher said it had "agreed to pay appropriate sums by way of compensation and costs and have expressed regret for the distress caused".

The private investigator

Glenn Mulcaire

, who was jailed for six months in 2007 for phone hacking, was also named as a defendant in the cases. Mulcaire has been involved in a legal dispute with NGN parent company News International over the payment of his legal fees.

Today's out-of-court settlements come just ahead of five test cases due to be heard by Mr Justice Vos in the new year, with actor Jude Law and Labour MP Chris Bryant among them.

Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne, who is also on the current list of test cases, is reported to be close to a settlement with NGN.