Hugh Grant awarded damages in phone hacking case

London: ‘Notting Hill’ star Hugh Grant has been awarded damages after settling his phone hacking case against a newspaper.

The 52-year-old actor was one of the leading celebrity campaigners against press intrusion after Rupert Murdoch`s now-defunct newspaper News of the World was hit by allegations that a private investigator illegally intercepted voice-mails for the publication in 2011. A number of victims, including Jude Law, Sadie Frost and Welsh singer Charlotte Church, received damages from the firm, and in September, Grant filed his own claim at London`s High Court, reported Daily Star. He was compensated a "substantial" sum for his pains, according to his lawyer Mark Thomson. "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," a statement read. Grant will donate the money to media reform group Hacked Off, which advocates for stricter press practises. In a post on Twitter, the actor writes, "Settled hacking suit with NI (News International, News of the World`s parent company). 100 per cent of money plus more goes to #HackedOff... Just in time for Christmas, Rupert." PTI