Former Daily Mail Editor Testifies About £3m Private Investigator Invoices
Paul Dacre, the former editor of the Daily Mail, has stated in court that he possesses only a "vague memory" of a box containing invoices worth £3 million to private investigators being discovered at the newspaper's offices. The 77-year-old told the High Court that he "really didn't know" the specifics behind these documents, which were uncovered by a paralegal in the managing editor's office in October of last year.
High-Profile Legal Action Against Associated Newspapers
Seven prominent individuals, including Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, and actress Elizabeth Hurley, are pursuing legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). They allege that the publisher engaged in unlawful activities such as obtaining medical information, tapping landlines, and phone hacking. ANL has strongly denied all allegations and any wrongdoing, arguing that the claimants filed the case too late.
In his written evidence, Mr Dacre expressed that the allegations have been "astonishing, appalled and – in the small hours of the night – reduced me to rage." He specifically addressed claims made by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, describing them as "especially bewildering and bitterly wounding to me personally." This follows the Daily Mail's 15-year campaign for justice for Stephen, who was killed in a racist attack in 1993.
Baroness Lawrence's Allegations and Dacre's Response
Baroness Lawrence testified last week, asserting that the Daily Mail was "pretending" to support her quest for justice merely to gain "the credibility of supporting a black family." Her claims relate to five articles published between 1997 and 2007, with her lawyers stating she was "extensively targeted" by private investigators working for ANL.
Mr Dacre responded by saying, "My heart bleeds for Baroness Doreen Lawrence," and maintained in his written evidence that it was "inconceivable" that anyone at the Daily Mail would have carried out the alleged activities. He emphasized his pride in the Lawrence campaign, calling it the one he is "most proud of" during his 26-year editorship.
Impact on Staff and Historical Context
The former editor, now editor-in-chief of ANL's holding company DMG Media, noted that the claims have had a "deeply upsetting" and sometimes "traumatic" impact on Daily Mail staff. He described witnessing "the anguish of honest, dedicated journalists" who have faced a "dark shadow" over their lives for three years.
Mr Dacre explained that journalists across Fleet Street had a "hazy understanding" of data protection during the relevant period, and inquiry agents were commonly used by other publications, including the BBC. He stated, "If I had thought something illicit or illegal was going on, then I would have been forthright in stopping it from happening." A second Information Commissioner's Office report served as a "huge wake-up call," leading to Daily Mail journalists being "blitzed" with warnings and a complete ban on using inquiry agents by April 2007.
Prosecution's Claims and Trial Details
David Sherborne, representing the complainants, told the London court that the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday had engaged in unlawful information gathering for "at least two decades" and "knew they had skeletons in their closet." He argued there is "indisputable evidence" that Associated journalists and senior executives commissioned unlawfully obtained information.
The trial before Mr Justice Nicklin is scheduled 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 in the UK.
