Privacy: Lawyers to examine files on phone hacking

Director of Prosecutions Keir Starmer said the move will ascertain whether there is any material which could spark a fresh prosecution.

A senior QC will re-examine all material collected as part of the original inquiry and any new evidence that has come to light.

A CPS spokeswoman said: "The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has today agreed that the Crown Prosecution Service will conduct a comprehensive assessment of all material in the possession of the Metropolitan Police Service relating to phone hacking, following developments in the civil courts.

"The exercise will involve an examination of all material considered as part of the original investigation into Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire and any material that has subsequently come to light.

"The assessment will be carried out by the principal legal adviser, Alison Levitt QC.

"The purpose of this assessment is to ascertain whether there is any material which could now form evidence in any future criminal prosecution relating to phone hacking."

Mulcaire and former News of the World reporter Goodman were jailed at the Old Bailey in January 2007 after they admitted intercepting messages.

The latest development came after actress Sienna Miller lodged documents in the High Court linking a third person with the scandal.

Miller is suing the News of the World parent company and Mulcaire, accusing them of breaching her privacy and of harassment.

It emerged earlier this month that News of the World executive Ian Edmondson has been suspended as a result of her claims.