Prince Harry and Six Others Sue Daily Mail Publisher Over Alleged Illegal Data Gathering
Seven claimants, including Prince Harry, are suing Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, over alleged unlawful information gathering. ANL has denied all the claims in the high court case.
Private Investigator Claims Mail Titles Were 'Best Customers' Post-Conviction
Steve Whittamore, a private investigator convicted in 2005 for illegally obtaining secret information, has stated in a written submission to the court that the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday remained his "best customers" for two years after his conviction. He received a conditional discharge in 2005 but continued working for ANL until 2007.
Whittamore explained that his activities for ANL spanned from 1998 to 2007, during which he and his network provided services such as obtaining names and addresses from phone numbers, criminal records, "blagged" personal data collected by deception, and itemised phone bills. He said, "After my conviction, there were some titles who ceased to instruct me; however, some newspapers continued using my services despite this, and these included the Mail on Sunday and the Daily Mail. They remained my best customers until April 2007, when the Daily Mail ceased using my services."
Allegations of Knowledge of Illegal Methods
In his testimony, Whittamore expressed that he was in "no doubt that all journalists who used my services on a regular basis, or who worked in newsrooms who were regular users, knew that the information was obtained through illegal means such as blagging." He added, "The journalists who used me and the editors who sanctioned this knew full well that I was a practitioner of the 'dark arts'. If the information the journalists requested could have been acquired legitimately, as opposed to through blagging or other checks, then the newspapers would have had no need to use my particular services."
He also detailed obtaining information through a subcontractor about the family of actor Sadie Frost, one of the claimants, showing a "blag" from 2003 related to Frost.
ANL's Response and Legal Arguments
In written submissions, ANL acknowledged at the Leveson inquiry into press practices that it had used inquiry agents in the past, including instances of blagging by Whittamore. However, the company argued that the claimants' legal team is attempting to link invoices to private investigators with specific stories without evidence, calling this tactic "guesswork."
Paul Dacre, the former editor of the Daily Mail, appeared in court and stated that he banned the use of private investigators in 2007. When challenged over his Leveson inquiry testimony, where he said it was unclear "what the journalists asked for" from private investigators, Dacre maintained his position, noting he did not handle invoices and could not comment without context.
Journalists' Defences and Court Tensions
Journalists named as having used Whittamore's services claimed they did so for legitimate purposes, such as finding addresses or phone numbers, and "did not know or suspect Mr Whittamore was acting illegally."
During the trial, tensions have risen between David Sherborne, the lead barrister for the claimants, and the judge, Mr Justice Nicklin. The judge has warned Sherborne to focus on evidence related to the seven claimants rather than turning the trial into a public inquiry into alleged unlawful activities at ANL.
The trial continues as both sides present their arguments in this high-profile case involving allegations of illegal data practices in the media industry.
