De Menezes family dragged into phone-hacking row
Thursday, 14 July 2011 5:20 PM
By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt
The family of Jean Charles de Menezes has been dragged into the ongoing row over phone-hacking.
The cousin of the Brazilian electrician has been informed by detectives that his number was found on a list of phone-hacking victims belonging to a News of the World investigator.
Mr de Menezes was shot dead by police in the wake of failed terror attacks on London Underground on July 22nd 2005.
His death is considered one of the darkest chapters in the Met's recent history, as several statements immediately after the shooting, including comments his clothing and behaviour, were later contradicted.
No officer was ever charged over his death.
The news that his family have been affected by phone-hacking is likely to further stoke public anger and pile on pressure on former News of the World staff, as the police operation continues.
It could still be the beginning of the revelations, however. Speaking to the home affairs committee earlier this week, Operation Weeting commander Sue Akers admitted just 170 people have been contacted so far from a document which includes 3,870 names, 5,000 landlines and 4,000 mobiles.
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