Ex-Shropshire MP to Take Legal Action Over Allegations of Phone-Hacking

Paul Marsden who served as Shrewsbury’s Labour MP from 2001 – 2005 said he had received information and evidence suggesting he was a victim of phone hacking in 2003.

Mr Marsden won the Shrewsbury seat for Labour in the 1997 general election, in 2001 he switched parties to the Liberal Democrats before standing down in 2005.

Writing on his website Mr Marsden said: “Over the past eighteen months I have been endeavouring to get to the truth of who was attempting to maximise damage on my life back in 2003.

“In that year, for instance, someone impersonated a police officer in an attempt to try and find out personal information on me. It caused a huge amount of upset and anxiety for my family when first we thought a serious incident had occurred and later when until I checked with the Shropshire Police and the Metropolitan Police we found that no such 'Police Officer' existed.

“I can confirm that I have instructed my Solicitor (Mark Lewis) to write to the Mirror regarding private stories which appeared in that paper. I have strong reasons to believe that I was the victim of unlawful hacking by a reporter who subsequently moved to the News of the World, under Andy Coulson.

“I understand that the reporter was suspended last year in respect of hacking carried out for that paper last year.

“It would not be appropriate to make detailed comments while sensitive enquiries are being made of the phone company O2.

“We are accumulating information and evidence steadily that will allow court action against individuals. When I can say more, I will.”
The allegation by Mr Marsden, is the first specific claim to be made against a newspaper other than the News of the World.
At the weekend, it emerged former prime minister Gordon Brown had contacted police concerned that perhaps his mobile phone had been hacked during his time in office as Chancellor.