Soham murder victims' families contacted by phone hack police - Telegraph.co.uk

The revelation will bring new pressure on Rebekah Brooks, the chief executive of News International, who was editor of the News of the World at the time of both of the murder cases.

Earlier today, Labour leader Ed Miliband called on her to "consider her conscience and consider her position" as outrage grew over claims that Milly's phone had been hacked just days after she disappeared.

In a statement Mrs Brooks said she was "appalled and shocked" by the allegations but was determined to remain in place as chief executive.

She said: "We were all appalled and shocked when we heard about these allegations yesterday.

"I have to tell you that I am sickened that these events are alleged to have happened."

The possibility of the Soham families' phones being hacked was raised months ago when John Yates, acting deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, was asked by a parliamentary committee if he thought it was possible their voice mails had been accessed. He replied that he was unaware of the claim.

In a speech in June, Labour MP Tom Watson repeated the allegations saying: "When the nation was grieving, they tried to hack the phones of the parents of the children who were murdered in Soham."

The House of Commons will tomorrow hold a three-hour debate on the issue of phone-hacking, following a request by Chris Bryant, a former Labour minister who is himself taking legal action against News International after it was claimed his voicemail was accessed.

As News International faced criticism from across the political spectrum, advertisers began to shy away from being associated with the News of the World.

Ford said it was pulling its advertising from the paper, with spokesman saying: ""Ford is a company which cares about the standards of behaviour of its own people and those it deals with externally.

"We are awaiting an outcome from the News of the World investigation and expect a speedy and decisive response.

"Pending this response we will be using alternative media within and outside News International Group instead of placing Ford advertising in the News of the World."

Npower and Halifax both said they were considering their options.