Former Daily Mail Editor Expresses Rage in Court Over Allegations
Paul Dacre, one of Britain's most influential press figures, has clashed with lawyers in court as he described his profound anger over allegations levelled against Associated Newspapers Limited. The former editor of the Daily Mail, who held the position from 1992 to 2018, gave evidence in a high-profile trial involving Prince Harry and several celebrities.
Dacre's Emotional Testimony and Legal Confrontation
During his testimony at the Royal Courts of Justice, the 77-year-old media executive called some of the claims "preposterous" and demanded "a sense of proportion" in the proceedings. He echoed his earlier witness statement, revealing that certain allegations had "astonished, appalled and - in the small hours of the night - reduced me to rage."
Mr Dacre appeared as the first witness supporting Associated Newspapers Limited's defence in the fourth week of the trial. The case involves seven high-profile claimants, including The Duke of Sussex, Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley, David Furnish, Sadie Frost, anti-racism campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and Sir Simon Hughes.
Serious Allegations and Firm Denials
The claimants allege that Associated Newspapers Limited hired private detectives to commit unlawful acts between 1993 and 2011. These accusations range from phone tapping and home bugging to paying police officials for confidential information and obtaining medical records through deception.
ANL has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that none of the information used for the stories in question was obtained unlawfully. The company's barrister, Antony White KC, has stated that the claims are being defended both on their merits and because they were brought too late.
Dacre's Response to Specific Claims
When questioned about documents showing the Daily Mail and The Mail On Sunday spent over £3 million on private investigators during the relevant period, Mr Dacre said he had only a "vague memory" of discovering such invoices. He explained he couldn't comment on the sum without "more specifics."
The former editor described a 2006 Information Commissioner's Office report as a "wake-up call" that set "alarm bells ringing." The report revealed that journalists at the Mail were the top users of private detective Steve Whittamore. While not attempting to "justify the figures," Mr Dacre claimed he had "stamped out the use of search agencies" within three months of the report's publication.
Particular Concern Over Baroness Lawrence's Allegations
Mr Dacre expressed particular distress about Baroness Doreen Lawrence's claims, describing them as "especially bewildering and bitterly wounding to me personally." He stated that his "heart bleeds" for the mother of 1993 murder victim Stephen Lawrence, while being more guarded about his feelings toward the other six claimants.
The former editor highlighted the Daily Mail's 15-year campaign to bring Stephen's killers to justice, including a front-page story in February 1997 that labelled five men as "murderers" and challenged them to sue for libel. Mr Dacre called this "the campaign of which I am most proud" and rejected suggestions that it was motivated by generating exclusive headlines or selling newspapers.
Technical Limitations and Legacy Concerns
In his witness statement, Mr Dacre revealed his limited technical knowledge, stating: "I didn't ever use a personal computer and barely knew how to log on." When asked by claimants' lawyer David Sherborne if he was motivated by a desire to "protect his legacy" rather than seek truth, Mr Dacre acknowledged wanting to clear his name but emphasised his concern for the newspaper and its "honest and dedicated staff."
Broader Context of the Trial
The trial before Mr Justice Nicklin has seen emotional testimony from several claimants. Prince Harry spoke about how the press "made my wife's life miserable," while Liz Hurley became tearful describing the alleged "brutal invasion" of her privacy. Mr Sherborne has accused the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday of unlawful information gathering over "at least two decades," claiming they have "skeletons in their closet."
Mr Dacre, who now serves as editor-in-chief of DMG Media, the holding company of ANL, previously told the Leveson Inquiry in 2012 that there was "no phone hacking on the Daily Mail." The trial is due to conclude in March, with a written judgment expected at a later date.
