Hugh Grant settles lawsuit with News Corp.

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LONDON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Movie star Hugh Grant settled a phone-hacking lawsuit Friday for a "substantial sum" he will donate to a campaign for press reform in Britain, his lawyer said.

The exact terms of the settlement with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. were not disclosed, The Guardian reported. Mark Thomson, the actor's solicitor, said Grant would donate the money with an additional contribution to Hacked Off.

"Hugh Grant has today settled his claims for damages and other legal remedies arising out of the unlawful activities of News of the World journalists and others over a number of years," Thomson said. "News Group Newspapers have agreed to pay him a substantial sum by way of damages. He has instructed us to donate all of his damages plus an additional payment from him to the Hacked Off Campaign for a free and accountable media. This will be done as soon as payment is received."

Murdoch closed News of the World in 2011 amidst revelations that a detective working for the venerable Sunday tabloid had hacked the cellphone of schoolgirl Milly Dowler after she disappeared in 2002. Her body was found a few months later.

Thomson said a court hearing on Grant's settlement will be held in January.

Grant, who became an international star with movies like "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill," recently played a number of cameos in "Cloud Atlas."

The Guardian said 20 people have settled out of court with News Corp. since October. There are a number of actions still outstanding, including one by Cherie Blair, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair.