News International 'spied on watchdog MPs'

Anti-hacking MP Tom Watson said he was taking legal advice today after claims that senior MPs were spied on by News International as recently as six months ago.

He pulled out of a Society of Editors conference after allegations that members of the Commons select committee investigating phone-hacking were targeted by private investigators. "Under the circumstances, I have to spend the day seeking advice as to our legal and constitutional position," said Mr Watson.

Fellow committee member Louise Mensch said: "If it's true then it's very, very serious. Members will want to know if their families and children were under surveillance."

Tory committee member Damian Collins called on News International to "clear up" whether the claims were true.

He said he had "no evidence" he had been followed, but added: "If it was an attempt to gain information about a parliamentary inquiry...that would be quite a serious matter." Media commentator Roy Greenslade said he believed that members of the committee were targeted. It was alleged last week that private investigators tailed members of the culture select committee. It was allegedly abandoned after News International staff protested at the huge resource it required.