Lawyer Did Not Witness Private Investigator's Signature on Phone-Hacking Confession
A solicitor who authorised a private investigator's disputed confession of unlawful information-gathering on behalf of the publisher of the Daily Mail has confirmed to the high court that she did not oversee the signing of the document. The revelation emerged during a high-profile trial involving allegations of bugging, phone tapping, and hacking against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), which the publisher denies in full.
Contested Statement Forms Core of Allegations
The most serious claims of illegal activities levelled at ANL stem from a signed statement by private investigator Gavin Burrows. This document outlines a range of alleged lawbreaking, including bugging, phone hacking, landline tapping, and the "blagging" of private records and medical information. However, Burrows has since asserted that the witness statement detailing his supposed confessions was forged, casting doubt on its validity.
Solicitor's Role and Delegation of Responsibilities
Anjlee Sangani, the solicitor who endorsed the document as compliant with standard legal practices, testified that she had not been responsible for obtaining Burrows's signature. Her signature typically verifies that the witness was not subjected to leading questions or improper pressure during the statement's preparation. Sangani, who no longer represents any of the claimants, disclosed that she had delegated the task of ensuring Burrows signed the document to Graham Johnson, a former phone hacker turned researcher for the claimants' legal team.
Legal Team's Scrutiny and Counterclaims
ANL's legal representatives have suggested that the Burrows statement was largely drafted by Johnson, implying that Sangani could not have been certain all information originated from Burrows's own words. Lead barrister Antony White argued that Sangani had "limited involvement" in the formation of the alleged confession dated August 2021. Sangani refuted this, stating she was closely involved and had met Burrows five times in March of that year to discuss his evidence, though she admitted feeling "uncomfortable and frightened" during one encounter.
Digital Signature and Authentication Disputes
In written submissions, Sangani explained that Johnson had kept her informed about Burrows signing his witness statement. She cited viewing an email exchange between Johnson and Burrows's wife requesting the signature, followed by an email from Burrows containing the signed document. Upon checking Burrows's electronic signature and the email contents, she signed the certificate of compliance. Sangani firmly denied any forgery allegations, asserting it was "plainly wrong" to suggest she forged the signature and "not even remotely possible" for Johnson to have done so.
The claimants' legal team contends that the digital signing method made it impossible for Johnson to substitute or alter the document. Sangani detailed drafting the statement from Johnson's meeting memos, an affidavit by Burrows, a signed four-page note, and a signed table of unlawful articles, with the latter two documents "wet signed" in her presence in late March 2021.
Uncertainty Over Witness Testimony
It remains unclear whether Gavin Burrows, who is currently overseas and will give evidence from a secret location, will be questioned during the trial. The judge has noted that the likelihood of this happening is "diminishing by the day." The trial continues, with significant implications for the claimants, including Elton John, David Furnish, Liz Hurley, and Sadie Frost, who have highlighted the importance of Burrows's alleged confessions in their case against ANL.
