British MPs asked parliament's standards watchdog today to begin a new investigation into the phone hacking allegations surrounding the News of the World and its former editor Andy Coulson.
Mr Coulson is now David Cameron’s director of communications.
The powerful cross-party Committee on Standards and Privileges will look at whether the tabloid's journalists tried to access MPs' private messages on their mobile phones.
Labour MP Chris Bryant, who called for the new inquiry, said he believed the number of known hacking attempts was the "tip of the iceberg" and that the case must be reopened.
"I would urge the committee to use all of the powers at its disposal," he added. "That includes the power to summon any person it wishes and to require them to attend."
The committee will discuss the issue at its next meeting next Tuesday.
Mr Coulson, who has denied any wrongdoing, resigned as editor of the newspaper in 2007 after the hacking scandal erupted.
The tabloid's royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed for four years for conspiracy to intercept phone messages. Private investigator Glenn Mulcaire received a six-month sentence.
Mr Cameron, who was then in opposition, hired Mr Coulson that same year as his director of communications.
The row was reignited last week when a former reporter claimed that Mr Coulson had been aware such eavesdropping was happening.
Political pressure for a new investigation has been growing since the New York Times ran a story last week suggesting News of the World reporters "routinely" sought to hack phones, often with the help of private investigators.
The US newspaper also said the Metropolitan Police failed to investigate properly.
Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott has threatened to seek a judicial review unless police tell him whether he was targeted. Former minister Tessa Jowell said her phone was hacked 28 times.
The News of the World, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News International, said the affair had become "intensely partisan".
In a statement, it added: "Amidst a swirl of untethered allegations, there should be no doubt that (we) will investigate any allegation of wrongdoing when presented with evidence.
"As we have always made clear, we have a zero-tolerance approach to wrongdoing and will take swift and decisive action if we have proof."
Reuters