John Terry story 'phone tape' inquiry begins

An inquiry has been launched into whether voicemail messages were intercepted as reporters covered the story of footballer John Terry and his alleged affair with a French model.

The Guardian newspaper said the inquiry would renew concerns after newspapers insisted this kind of activity had been stamped out since the jailing of a News of the World reporter in 2007.

The newspaper said the evidence focuses on the phone records of Vanessa Perroncel and one of her close friends, Antonia Graham.

One allegation involves the interception of a live telephone call between the two women, a more serious offences than listening to phone messages, it said.

A spokeswoman for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said: “This incident has been reported to us and we are looking into it, together with Vodafone, to establish whether any offences under the Data Protection Act have taken place.

“The Data Protection Act, which is regulated and enforced by the ICO, covers the processing of personal information.

“The interception of communications is covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which is separate to the Data Protection Act and is not regulated by the ICO.”

Personal information is thought to include such items as saved voicemail, which a recipient is aware of.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act is normally a matter for the police.

Source: Press Association