Former Daily Mail Showbiz Editor Accused of Using Private Investigators for Unlawful Acts
In a high-profile trial at the High Court in London, former Daily Mail showbusiness editor Nicole Lampert has been accused of using private investigators who allegedly engaged in unlawful activities to gather information about celebrities. The case involves claims of unlawful information gathering brought by a group of prominent figures against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday.
Testimony and Allegations in the Courtroom
Nicole Lampert, who worked at the Daily Mail from 2003 to 2006, gave evidence during the trial, which includes plaintiffs such as Prince Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, David Furnish, Sadie Frost, and Sir Simon Hughes. The publisher strongly denies all allegations and is vigorously defending the case. The court heard that Lampert approved invoices for the private investigations firm Express Locate International (ELI) while overseeing department finances.
Lampert is bylined in two articles complained of by actress Liz Hurley, including one titled "Now I wish I’d stayed with Hugh admits a lonely Liz." In her witness statement, Lampert stated she does not recall using ELI for that story. She explained that she relied on a confidential source within Hurley's social circles and a freelance reporter in the United States for information, rather than private investigators.
Celebrity Cases Under Scrutiny
Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish have complained about an article Lampert wrote in December 2005 regarding the costs of their wedding. Lampert testified that the information likely came from public sources, such as local council and police plans, and that she spoke to Sir Elton's spokesperson for comments. She emphasized that she would not have used private investigators due to the public nature of the event.
Sadie Frost has raised concerns about four articles published between 2003 and 2005, including one related to her divorce from Jude Law. Lampert claimed the information in these pieces either came from old news or a freelance contact, Sharon Feinstein, who had a reliable source within Frost's social circle. She denied any involvement of unlawful methods in these reports.
Admissions and Defense Strategies
During her testimony, Lampert admitted to using ELI while at the Daily Mail but believed it was acceptable at the time. She acknowledged that some requests might have involved investigators not properly identifying themselves, such as calling hotels to locate celebrities. However, she insisted she never asked for financial or medical information or phone hacking, and did not imagine ELI would engage in such activities.
In written submissions, David Sherborne, representing the claimants, argued that Lampert was a "habitual user of private investigators" who engaged in unlawful acts, with a propensity for using ELI and other firms like Trace Direct International and BDI UK Consultancy. He claimed that articles, including those about Frost's divorce, contained the "fruits" of unlawful information gathering.
Trial Proceedings and Expected Outcome
The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Nicklin, is set to conclude in March, with a written judgment to follow at a later date. This case highlights ongoing legal battles over media practices and privacy rights, drawing attention to the methods used by newspapers in gathering celebrity information. As the proceedings continue, the outcome could have significant implications for journalistic standards and accountability in the UK media industry.
