In a dramatic high court hearing, a former Mail on Sunday journalist has vehemently denied allegations that he acted as a "handler" for private investigators accused of illegal surveillance activities. Paul Henderson, who served as the newspaper's investigations editor and briefly as news editor, described the claims as an "absolute lie" and "surreal."
Allegations of Unlawful Information Gathering
The case centres on Gavin Burrows, a private investigator whose disputed confessions form the core of accusations against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Prince Harry is among seven claimants suing ANL, alleging the use of a "menu" of corrupt practices, including bugging homes and phone tapping, to secure stories. ANL denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
Henderson was accused by the claimants' legal team of being a conduit between corrupt private investigators and other ANL journalists. He firmly rejected this, stating it was fabricated. The disputed Burrows statement claims Henderson was his "first proper contact ... on Fleet Street," with regular communication and a trusted working relationship.
Disputed Testimony and Denials
Henderson suggested Burrows might have been "the Mallorca man," a contact he met on the island regarding a potential story about business magnate Richard Branson. However, he asserted he never worked with or contacted this individual again and did not recognise Burrows from a photograph shown in court.
David Sherborne, the leading barrister for the claimants, argued that the Burrows testimony includes "exceptionally detailed" accounts of Henderson acting as a handler, such as introducing Burrows to other journalists and exchanging cash for tapes via a virtual mail drop in London. Henderson dismissed this as "nonsense" and "absolutely untrue," emphasising he never engaged in such activities.
When questioned about why he might be targeted by fabrications, Henderson speculated that those behind the disputed confession "weaved something together" based on the possible Mallorca meeting. He labelled the claims "extreme and grotesque" and noted that Burrows has since refuted the statement, though the document's origins remain unclear.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Case
The judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, has yet to rule on how to treat the disputed Burrows claims, which are pivotal in the cases of some claimants, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley. Henderson also denied commissioning other private investigators with criminal records, such as Glenn Mulcaire, Steve Whittamore, and Jonathan Rees.
The high court proceedings continue, with significant implications for media ethics and legal accountability in journalism. The outcome could influence future regulations on private investigator use and information gathering practices in the industry.
