Hugh Grant's Persuasion Led Liz Hurley to Sue Over Alleged Phone Hacking
Elizabeth Hurley revealed in court on Thursday that it was Hugh Grant's persuasive charm that convinced her to take legal action against newspapers for alleged phone hacking. The actress and model testified at the High Court that Mr Grant, her former boyfriend and star of Four Weddings and a Funeral, asked her to join a privacy claim against Mirror Group Newspapers back in 2015.
'Puppy Dog Eyes' and a Plea for Justice
Miss Hurley, now 60 years old, described how Mr Grant influenced her decision. 'I think he probably gave me puppy dog eyes and persuaded me,' she told the court. 'I think he just said, "You would be doing a good thing, please."' This personal appeal from the actor, a prominent supporter of the pressure group Hacked Off, proved decisive in her involvement.
Her initial action against MGN was successful, resulting in £350,000 in damages which she donated entirely to Hacked Off. Now, she finds herself among seven high-profile claimants, including Prince Harry and Sir Elton John, who are accusing Associated Newspapers of unlawful information gathering. The publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday has vehemently denied these allegations, labelling them as 'preposterous' and 'simply untrue'.
Emotional Testimony and Family Matters
Miss Hurley's lawsuit focuses on 15 articles that she claims contain information obtained through illicit means. These include sensitive details about her pregnancy with her son Damian and the tumultuous breakdown of her relationship with his late father, Steve Bing. Damian Hurley, now 23, was present in the courtroom, observing as his mother faced questioning about these deeply personal matters.
The proceedings took an emotional turn when Miss Hurley became tearful during her evidence. At that moment, Prince Harry, who was seated beside Damian Hurley, offered comfort by placing a supportive hand on the younger man's back. The Duke of Sussex later left the courtroom and reportedly met with Baroness Doreen Lawrence, another claimant in the case and the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, at the House of Lords.
Navigating the Complex World of Celebrity and Media
During cross-examination by Antony White KC, representing Associated Newspapers, Miss Hurley firmly rejected suggestions that her friends had leaked information to the press. However, she acknowledged that she had authorised certain close confidants, including David Furnish – Sir Elton John's husband and a fellow claimant – to speak with journalists on her behalf, typically in connection with favourable photoshoots for glossy magazines.
She also admitted to a 'mutual arrangement' between celebrities and the media for promotional purposes. 'When you're in the public eye and you have a movie to promote or a book to sell, yes we do Press, it's a mutual arrangement,' explained the star of films like Austin Powers and Bedazzled. She denied harbouring any vendetta against the press, stating that her previous legal actions were solely in response to libellous content or articles that caused distress to her son.
The Catalyst for Legal Action
Miss Hurley emphasised that her decision to sue Associated Newspapers was triggered by specific events in 2020. She took 'immediate action' upon learning about an alleged confession from private investigator Gavin Burrows, who reportedly admitted to phone hacking and landline tapping. It is important to note that Mr Burrows has since disavowed the witness statement presented by the claimants' legal team, claiming the signature is forged. He is scheduled to give evidence later in the trial.
When questioned about the timing of her lawsuit, Miss Hurley denied any prior knowledge or discussions about taking action against the Mail titles before becoming aware of Mr Burrows' alleged confession. She also clarified her relationship with Hugh Grant, describing him as one of her closest friends but dismissing any notion of serious political discussions between them. 'I can honestly say that the idea of Hugh and I talking about politics or anything grown-up is phenomenally unlikely,' she testified.
The trial continues, with Baroness Lawrence expected to give evidence in the coming days. This high-profile case underscores the ongoing tensions between public figures and the media, highlighting complex issues of privacy, consent, and the boundaries of journalistic practice in the digital age.
