British police question ex-tabloid reporter over phone tapping claims

Ex-reporter at UK tabloid quizzed by police

LONDON — British police have interviewed a former tabloid reporter over claims the paper tapped phones to illicitly snoop on politicians and celebrities.

David Sonn, a lawyer for Sean Hoare, said the former News of the World journalist was interviewed by police officers Tuesday but was not arrested.

The New York Times recently quoted Hoare as saying illegal methods to gather personal information on high-profile individuals were widely used at the News Corp.-owned tabloid.

The claims have brought into question the position of the newspaper’s ex-editor Andy Coulson, who is now Prime Minister David Cameron’s communications director.

Lawmakers last week authorized an inquiry into news-gathering tactics used by British media.