A senior journalist from the News of the World has been suspended over a “serious allegation” relating to phone hacking claims involving the actress Sienna Miller.
A spokeswoman for the News of the World confirmed news editor Ian Edmondson was suspended after new claims of phone hacking emerged.
A document lodged in the High Court links Edmondson with the interception of voicemail messages from the phones of Miller and Jude Law.
Solicitor Mark Thomson has said paperwork and other records seized by police from private investigator Glenn Mulcaire implied Edmondson was linked to the hacking.
Mulcaire and former News of the World reporter Clive Goodman were jailed at the Old Bailey in January 2007 after they admitted intercepting messages.
“A serious allegation has been made about the conduct of a member of the News of the World staff,” a News of the World spokeswoman said.
“We have followed our internal procedures and we can confirm that this person was suspended from active duties just before Christmas.
“The allegation is the subject of litigation and our internal investigation will take place in tandem with that.
“If the conclusion of the investigation or the litigation is that the allegation is proven, appropriate action will be taken.
“The News of the World has a zero tolerance approach to any wrong-doing.”
Actress Sienna Miller is suing the News of the World’s parent company, News Group, and Mulcaire, accusing them of breaching her privacy and of harassment.