Hugh Grant has accepted a “substantial sum” from Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloid publisher over phone-hacking by the News of the World, the British actor’s lawyer said on Friday. The Four Weddings and a Funeral star will donate the damages to the Hacked Off campaign against press intrusion.
“My aim has always been to ensure that cash is redistributed from Mr Murdoch to help those his company has harassed,” Grant said.
His lawyer Mark Thomson said the damages would be transferred to Hacked Off as soon Grant, 52, receives the payment, with a statement made in open court in the New Year.
“Hugh Grant has today settled his claims for damages and other legal remedies arising out of the unlawful activities of News of the World journalists and others over a number of years,” Thomson said in a statement.
“News Group Newspapers (NGN) have agreed to pay him a substantial sum by way of damages. He has instructed us to donate all of his damages plus an additional payment from him to the Hacked Off campaign for a free and accountable media.”