Rebecca Hubbard
Posted: Monday, September 6, 2010 9:47 am

Alleged phone-hacking by News of the World journalists is to be investigated again by the Metropolitan Police after new evidence came to the fore.

John Yates, assistant commissioner, said any new information will be considered by officers and any relevant action will be taken.

It has been claimed by a former reporter on the Sunday paper that he was asked by the former editor, Andy Coulson, to hack into phones.

Mr Coulson has denied using the practice whilst editor. He also claims that he never condoned the activity either.

Tamsin Allen, a lawyer in the case whose clients include former Labour minister Chris Bryant and former senior Met officer Brian Paddick, said she wanted any decision made by the police to be "properly scrutinised".

Mr Coulson has received strong backing from Number 10 as he is now the David Cameron's director of communications, saying that Coulson "totally and utterly" rejects claims he was aware of any underhand activity.