Key Highlights
- Liz Hurley claims private investigators working for the Daily Mail bugged her landline and placed microphones on her home windows.
- The actress is one of seven high-profile claimants accusing Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) of “grave breaches of privacy” over a 20-year period.
- Hurley alleges that ANL “wilfully exploited my stolen information using its arsenal of illegal means,” focusing on articles published between 2002 and 2011, many about her son Damian and his late father, film producer Steve Bing.
- The case continues and is expected to last nine weeks; other claimants include the Duke of Sussex and Sir Elton John among others.
Privacy Invasion Alleged: Actress Liz Hurley in High Court Battle Against Daily Mail
Liz Hurley, the renowned British actress, has taken to the high court with a privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), publishers of The Daily Mail. Hurley’s claims are part of a broader legal battle initiated by seven high-profile individuals, including celebrities and public figures, accusing ANL of “grave breaches of privacy” over an expansive 20-year period.
Alleged Invasion of Privacy
Hurley walked into the Royal Courts of Justice in London accompanied by her son Damian. She tearfully detailed how private investigators working for The Daily Mail allegedly bugged her landline and placed microphones on her home windows to gather information, a process she described as “a brutal invasion of privacy.” Her statement was particularly poignant, with Hurley expressing deep emotional distress over the violation of her personal life.
“I felt really mortified that my son would be able to read all this stuff one day,” Hurley said in court. “And I feel really bad that that day is today when all this stuff is being regurgitated again.” She further explained, “Yet again, everyone’s privacy is being invaded in this terrible way, and I feel very helpless about that.”
Timeline of Allegations
The case centers around 15 articles published between 2002 and 2011. Hurley claims ANL “wilfully exploited my stolen information using its arsenal of illegal means,” focusing on stories about her son Damian, his late father Steve Bing, and other personal details. She also alleged that the Mail stole her medical information while she was pregnant with Damian.
Specifically, Hurley pointed to a 2001 story in Hello Magazine where two friends were quoted discussing her. “They would never ever say anything indiscreet about me,” she insisted, emphasizing her close-knit social circle’s integrity.
Legal Context and Other Claimants
Hurley is one of seven high-profile claimants who have brought legal action against ANL. The other plaintiffs include Prince Harry (the Duke of Sussex), Sadie Frost, Sir Elton John, Sir Simon Hughes, the former Liberal Democrat MP, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and other prominent figures. These individuals are collectively alleging a “clear, systematic, and sustained use of unlawful information gathering” for stories published between 1993 and beyond 2018.
The legal battle is expected to span nine weeks, with the case being heard by Mr Justice Nicklin in a civil trial without a jury. ANL has denied wrongdoing and claims that the claims are brought too late, suggesting that privacy cases must usually be brought within six years of the alleged breach.
Conclusion
A Broader Battle for Privacy
The lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited marks a significant chapter in ongoing legal battles over privacy rights in the media. As Hurley and her fellow claimants take their fight to court, the case highlights the complex ethical questions surrounding press intrusion into private lives.