Sir Elton John has delivered a powerful condemnation of the publisher behind the Daily Mail, branding their alleged actions as an "abhorrent" invasion of privacy that falls "outside even the most basic standards of human decency." The iconic singer, aged 78, made these remarks during a brief appearance via video link at the high court, where he expressed being "incensed" upon learning of the accusations.
Allegations of Unlawful Information Gathering
John and his husband, David Furnish, are part of a group of seven claimants that includes notable figures such as Prince Harry and Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence. They allege that Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) engaged in unlawful activities, including phone tapping, bugging landlines, and hacking mobile devices, to obtain private information.
The couple specifically references ten articles published by ANL titles that covered sensitive topics like the birth of their son, Zachary, the financial aspects of their wedding, and John's health. Additionally, they claim there were two separate instances of unlawful information gathering that did not result in published stories.
Personal and Medical Privacy Breached
In a written submission to the court, John articulated the profound impact of these alleged intrusions. "From a personal level, I have found the Mail's deliberate invasion into my medical health and medical details surrounding the birth of our son Zachary abhorrent," he stated. The singer emphasised that documents have surfaced showing the publisher was investigating him during hospital stays and probing into the highly confidential matters surrounding their son's birth, including details about egg donors, embryos, and paternity questions.
John explained that he initially did not complain about the stories because he was unaware they might have been obtained through illicit means. His decision to take legal action came after hearing allegations involving private investigator Gavin Burrows, who is accused of targeting their private communications, even hacking the voicemails of their gardener.
Legal Disputes and Denials
ANL has firmly denied all allegations, with their legal team describing the claims as "groundless and unsupported by the evidence before the court." The case has become entangled in legal wrangling over a disputed confession from Burrows, who now claims a 2021 statement detailing alleged unlawful acts is a forgery. This document has become central to the proceedings, with ongoing debates about whether Burrows will testify.
In court, Catrin Evans KC, representing ANL, suggested that the articles in question were secured through legitimate means, such as public statements, spokespeople, or information from previous coverage. She pointed to examples like a 2015 article about John falling ill in Monaco, which she linked to prior French press reports, and another piece that used statements from John's website and his former spokesperson, Gary Farrow.
Defence of Journalistic Practices
Evans also proposed that the couple's "wider social milieu" might have provided information to journalists. John countered this by asserting, "My friends do not talk to the press and that is why they're still my friends, to put it bluntly." He noted that inaccuracies in some articles further undermined their credibility.
ANL's legal team criticised the claimants' approach, arguing that they are attempting to link payment records to private investigators with articles that are only loosely related in time, claiming this method is "unsupported by any evidence before the court and utterly baseless."
Ongoing Legal Battle
The case continues to unfold in the high court, highlighting broader issues of privacy rights and media ethics. John's testimony underscores the emotional and personal toll of such alleged invasions, as he and Furnish seek accountability for what they describe as severe breaches of their private lives. The outcome of this legal dispute could have significant implications for press standards and privacy protections in the UK.
