In a high-profile case at the London High Court, actress Liz Hurley has accused the publisher of the Daily Mail of engaging in unlawful tactics to obtain information about her. Hurley, who is part of a group of seven high-profile individuals bringing claims against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, testified that the company had tapped her landline, recorded her phone conversations, and placed hidden microphones on the window sills of her home.
In an emotional statement, Hurley said the discovery of these unlawful acts “devastated” her, and she felt “crushed” by the invasion of her privacy. She recounted how the “deeply hurtful and damaging” articles published about her had caused her significant distress.
However, ANL has denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as “lurid” and “preposterous.” The publisher’s legal team argued that the claims were “unsupported by the evidence” and were part of an attempt by the claimants’ research team to create a case against the company “based entirely on spurious and, or, discredited information.”
The case has drawn significant attention, with Prince Harry also appearing in court to show his support for the other claimants. The Duke of Sussex has previously accused the Daily Mail’s publisher of wanting to drive him “to drugs and drink” through its coverage.
As the trial continues, the court will weigh the evidence presented by both sides, with Hurley and the other claimants seeking to prove that the Daily Mail’s publisher engaged in unlawful information-gathering tactics. The outcome of this high-profile case could have far-reaching implications for the media industry and the ongoing debate around privacy and press freedom.
