Ifans and Barrymore settle hack claims
Actor Rhys Ifans and entertainer Michael Barrymore have settled their phone hacking damages claims.
They both received substantial undisclosed damages, their legal costs and sincere apologies from News Group Newspapers (NGN).
The settlements, announced at London’s High Court today before Mr Justice Mann, are the latest in the civil litigation against NGN, which published the now defunct News of the World.
Mr Barrymore, who attended court, said outside: "It is nice to get to this point. It has taken 13 years.
“It is a shame it was not dealt with quicker. I want to move on and forget it.”
He added: “I do not believe journalists should be restricted. When they get it right they get it right, but when they get it wrong they should apologise a little bit quicker.”
