A retired private investigator based in the United States, Daniel Portley-Hanks, has provided crucial evidence in a high-profile legal case against Associated Newspapers Ltd, the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. The case involves a group of high-profile claimants, including Prince Harry, Elizabeth Hurley, and Elton John, who allege decades of unlawful information gathering by the media group.
Substantial Earnings from Media Work
During his testimony at the high court, Portley-Hanks disclosed that he received approximately $1 million for services rendered to Associated Newspapers Ltd over a period spanning from the early 1990s to around 2013. He detailed how this income enabled him to purchase a large house in California and accumulate savings of $150,000, which he attributed almost entirely to his work for the publisher.
Allegations of Unlawful Activities
Portley-Hanks, who is 79 years old and also known by the nickname Detective Danno, admitted to engaging in activities that he now believes were unlawful under UK law. He described himself as the database guy, capable of locating a target's contact details and other private information within minutes using just a name or phone number. In a written submission, he stated, I know that I did unlawful stuff on him, but I cannot recall what exactly, referring specifically to Prince Harry.
He also mentioned conducting work related to Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, though he could not recall specific details. The investigator alleged that Associated Newspapers Ltd attempted to conceal its ongoing use of private investigators by instructing him to change his email address to appear as a Hollywood reporter.
Contested Claims and Publisher's Denial
Associated Newspapers Ltd has firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing, describing them as lurid and preposterous. The publisher's legal team challenged Portley-Hanks's testimony, pointing to his previous public statements where he claimed not to have broken the law. They also presented emails showing that a Mail editor had sought confirmation that Portley-Hanks was acting lawfully, though Portley-Hanks countered that he was pressured to agree to this even if it was untrue.
Broader Implications and Other Claimants
The case includes seven claimants in total, with others being David Furnish, Sadie Frost, Simon Hughes, and Doreen Lawrence. Portley-Hanks's evidence is part of a larger narrative where claimants accuse the publisher of employing illegal tactics to gather personal data over many years. The trial has also highlighted issues such as alleged payments to a police officer for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, which Associated Newspapers Ltd denies.
Portley-Hanks revealed that his work for the publisher ceased after the 2012 Leveson inquiry, leading to his bankruptcy. He was told he could only continue working if he relinquished his private investigator's licence, a condition he did not accept.
Uncertainty Over Further Testimony
The proceedings face uncertainty as Gavin Burrows, another private investigator involved, has expressed willingness to give evidence only from a secret location, a move described by the claimants' lawyer as highly unorthodox. Associated Newspapers Ltd has argued that Portley-Hanks is of doubtful relevance to the case due to a lack of direct evidence linking him to stories about the claimants.
As the case continues, it underscores ongoing debates about media ethics, privacy rights, and the legal boundaries of investigative journalism in the UK.
