EastEnders Star Wins NOTW And Police Damages

EastEnders star Steve McFadden has accepted "substantial damages" from the publishers of the News Of The World (NOTW) newspaper and the Metropolitan Police.

The actor took legal action in the wake of the phone hacking revelations after a police officer sold information about him to a NOTW journalist.

Mr Justice Mann at the High Court heard that the star, who plays Phil Mitchell in the soap opera, had also been a target of voicemail interception by the same journalist.

"For years, false and private information about me has appeared in the press," said McFadden outside court.

"Although I am pleased to finally understand how some of this information came to be published, I am particularly concerned that a police officer sold my privacy to a tabloid newspaper for profit.

"I consider the payment of damages and public apology will go some way to ensuring respect for my and others' privacy in future."

He added: "I am glad to have been vindicated and to be able to put this matter behind me."

His solicitor, Tamsin Allen, who works for law firm Bindmans, added: "This is a case where there was no possible public interest in the sale of this information.

"An officer failed in his duty to the public by seeking a private profit from a newspaper that was prepared to corrupt a public servant.

"This was the reality of journalism at the News Of The World."

Two other celebrities had also accepted damages from News Group Newspapers - which published the NOTW until it closed in 2011 - after taking legal action, the judge was told.

Interior designer Kelly Hoppen, the stepmother of actress Sienna Miller, had sued after evidence emerged that her voicemail messages had been intercepted, the judge heard.

Model Keeley Hazell had also complained that her messages were targeted.