Lawyers for News Group said the company offered its “sincerest and unreserved apologies” to Hurst and his family and accepted “vicarious liability” for the hacking. News Group will pay “substantial” damages to Hurst and cover his legal costs. “We can now add computer hacking to the long list of criminal activities undertaken by Murdoch’s operatives,” Watson said. The court heard that Rees had instructed Philip Smith, who was known for his expertise in computer hacking, to target Hurst. Rees, Smith and Marunchak did not oppose the statement made in court regarding the settlement.

Source: The Guardian October 06, 2017 13:55 UTC