Former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre has told the High Court that allegations made by Doreen Lawrence against the newspaper’s publisher were “bewildering and bitterly wounding”. The comments were made as part of a civil trial brought by a group of high-profile claimants against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), which strongly denies all claims of unlawful information gathering.
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The legal action has been brought by seven individuals, including the Duke of Sussex, Elton John and Baroness Lawrence, alongside David Furnish, Sir Simon Hughes, Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost. ANL argues that the claims are both unfounded and out of time. Mr Dacre, now editor-in-chief of DMG Media, appeared as the first defence witness.
In written evidence, Mr Dacre said it was “inconceivable” that journalists at the Daily Mail would have engaged in the alleged criminal conduct. He emphasised the newspaper’s long-running campaign to secure justice for Stephen Lawrence, describing it as the work of which he was most proud during his 26-year editorship. He rejected suggestions that the campaign was motivated by profit or exclusivity, calling such claims “bleakly cynical”.
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Counsel for the claimants argued that the newspaper had engaged in unlawful practices over many years and sought to challenge Mr Dacre’s motives for giving evidence. ANL’s legal team maintained that all reporting was obtained through legitimate means and supported by evidence. The trial is due to conclude in March, with a written judgment expected at a later date.
