Paul Dacre, the former editor of the Daily Mail and current editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), is set to testify in a high-profile legal case involving the Duke of Sussex and six other prominent figures. The case, which begins on January 19, centers around allegations of unlawful information gathering by ANL.
During a pre-trial hearing, Antony White KC, representing ANL, indicated that Dacre and former Mail on Sunday editor Peter Wright would serve as early defense witnesses. White emphasized the need for their testimonies to address serious allegations before further witness discussions.
David Sherborne, representing the claimants, noted that ANL sought to question Dacre about his previous statements during the Leveson inquiry into press standards conducted in 2011-12. The claimants, including Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley, and others, allege that ANL engaged in illegal practices such as employing private investigators for unauthorized surveillance and accessing private communications. ANL has firmly denied these allegations.
The presiding judge, Mr. Justice Nicklin, cautioned the claimants’ legal team against allowing the case to evolve into an expansive public inquiry. He emphasized that the proceedings should not be guided solely by the claimants’ objectives. The judge did grant permission for the claimants to utilize records from private investigator Stephen Whittamore, which had been retained since the Leveson inquiry.
Further complicating matters, it was reported that private investigator Gavin Burrows retracted a statement where he purportedly admitted to extensive illegal activities targeting numerous individuals for journalists at the Mail on Sunday. Burrows claimed his signature on the document was forged, a statement Sherborne described as an unfounded attack on the legal team.
The trial is expected to last approximately nine weeks, with anticipated legal expenses reaching £38 million.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/27/former-daily-mail-editor-paul-dacre-to-be-witness-in-trial-brought-by-prince-harry-and-others