British actor Sadie Frost arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday accompanied by her son, Finlay Munro Kemp, to deliver powerful testimony in a landmark legal case. The high-profile hearing saw Frost become visibly distressed as she detailed the profound impact of what she alleges were systematic invasions of her privacy by one of the UK's largest newspaper publishers.
'A Price Put on My Head'
In a dramatic moment during her evidence, Frost told the court that she believed there had been 'a price put on my head' by the publisher of the Daily Mail. She accused Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) of repeatedly using information obtained from her private telephone calls and sensitive personal medical records without her consent over a sustained period.
'The Daily Mail had said they were interested in Sadie Frost,' she testified, describing her horror upon discovering that journalists had apparently confirmed their interest in purchasing private information about her life.
Allegations of Unlawful Information Gathering
Frost is one of seven high-profile claimants bringing legal action against ANL, alleging the media group engaged in unlawful information gathering practices to secure stories about them. The group includes Prince Harry, actor Elizabeth Hurley, Doreen Lawrence (mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence), Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish, and former Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes.
The actor's evidence focused on eleven specific stories published between 2000 and at least 2010, plus two additional incidents of alleged unlawful information gathering that did not result in published articles. One particularly sensitive matter related to medical information concerning an ectopic pregnancy she experienced in 2003.
Voicemail Interception Evidence
Frost's legal team presented compelling evidence to the court, including an email from April 2006 sent by the late convicted phone hacker Greg Miskiw. The correspondence reportedly contains verbatim quotations from a private conversation between Frost and her former nanny, complete with direct quotes from their dispute and references to a child psychologist.
'The verbatim quotations are from the fruits of voicemail interception,' argued the claimants' legal representatives. In the same email chain, Miskiw explicitly asks a Mail on Sunday journalist: 'Are you interested in Sadie Frost? I might have a story about her.' The journalist's response was unequivocal: 'Of course we are interested in Sadie.'
Emotional Impact on Family
In a written witness statement submitted to the court, Frost expressed her devastation at how the alleged activities affected her family. 'I was horrified that anybody would do this to my son and because of me,' she wrote. 'I could not believe how cold blooded they were to be 'interested' in my private dispute and my son's medical information for sale in a newspaper.'
She described the experience as 'so cruel and horrible' that she immediately instructed lawyers to investigate what had happened. Frost maintained that some published articles contained information that could only have come from intercepted voicemails, noting that certain passages appeared 'word for word' from messages she had carefully worded.
Publisher's Defence and Cross-Examination
ANL's legal team, led by barrister Antony White KC, vigorously contested the allegations, describing them as 'lurid' and 'preposterous'. The defence argued there was little evidence that stories about the claimants were obtained unlawfully, maintaining that journalists secured information through legitimate means and sources.
During cross-examination, White presented Frost with articles that quoted her sister, mother, and father, suggesting family members had voluntarily provided information to the media. He proposed that this had encouraged others in her social circle to similarly engage with the press.
Frost countered that her mother would never have disclosed truly private information and was often merely responding to details already released by newspapers. She emphasised that among her friends, speaking to the press was considered 'very taboo,' and anyone who did so would be 'cut out of the group.'
Personal Distress and Media Scrutiny
The actor became particularly emotional when questioned about a story concerning her young daughter accidentally swallowing an ecstasy pill found on the floor at a private club. 'I wasn't going out having tea and cake,' she told the court. 'I was holed up at home, distressed, trying to be a good mum.'
Frost's testimony highlighted the intense personal distress caused by media scrutiny during vulnerable moments, painting a picture of a woman attempting to protect her family while facing what she alleges were systematic privacy violations.
The trial continues at the High Court, with further evidence expected from both claimants and the defence as this significant media law case unfolds. The outcome could have substantial implications for press regulation and privacy protections in the United Kingdom.
