News of the World 'targeted Sarah Payne's mother's phone'

Sara Payne, the mother of eight-year-old schoolgirl Sarah who was abducted and murdered in July 2000, has been told by Scotland Yard that they have found evidence to suggest she was targeted by News of the World's investigator Glenn Mulcaire, The Guardian newspaper reports.

Police had originally told Sara her name was not among those featuring in Mulcaire's notes, but on Tuesday officers from Operation Weeting confirmed that her personal details were in fact there. There is no proof at this stage that Payne's phone was hacked.

According to The Guardian, friends of Sara Payne say she is "absolutely devastated and deeply disappointed" at the news.

The evidence that police found in Mulcaire's notes is believed to relate to a phone given to Sara Payne by Rebekah Brooks as a gift to help her keep in touch with her supporters.

The Guardian, which has been championing the 'Hackgate' news coverage has also reported that Sara Payne 'accepted the News of the World as a friend and ally' after the paper spearheaded a campaign which resulted in 'Sarah's Law' - a law aimed at helping parents protect their children from dangerous individuals in their neighbourhood.

Labour MP Tom Watson told reporters today: "This is a new low. The last edition of the News of the World made great play of the paper's relationship with the Payne family. Brooks talked about it at the committee inquiry. Now this. I have nothing but contempt for the people that did this."

Speaking on Sky News former News of the World journalist Sophy Ridge said: "The difference between this and previous allegations is that Sara Payne was a real friend of the paper. We all thought it couldn't get worse, now it has got worse."

Following the revelations on 4 July that Milly Dowler's phone had been hacked rumours circulated that Sara Payne was also a victim. On 8 July Murdoch-owned newspaper The Sun was quick to report that Payne had been told there was no evidence to support these rumours.

Following the latest reports Rebekah Brooks issued a statement saying: "These allegations are abhorrent and upsetting as Sara Payne is a dear friend. The idea that Sara had been targeted is beyond comprehension."