The ongoing legal case surrounding unlawful activities in information gathering has brought important figures and allegations to light. Among the claimants in this high-profile case are Sir Elton John and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence. They assert that they were victims of illicit information-gathering practices.
Investigator’s Revelations
Detective Danno, whose real name is Portley-Hanks, provided key testimony during the trial. He entered the private investigation field shortly after being released from prison in 1979. A week after his release, he saw an advertisement offering training in private investigation, which he pursued.
Early Career and Connections
- Portley-Hanks established his own investigation firm.
- He worked as an in-house investigator for U.S. news shows.
- In the mid-1990s, he formed an independent service for British tabloids.
He quickly garnered significant work from two journalists at the Mail on Sunday, Caroline Graham and Sharon Churcher. Portley-Hanks described them as his “best client and the biggest payer.”
Information Gathering Techniques
His work involved obtaining sensitive information, including phone records and personal details of numerous celebrities. Notable figures he reported on included:
- Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and singer Nicole Scherzinger
- Singer Jennifer Lopez and her former partner Chris Judd
- Singer Kylie Minogue and actor Olivier Martinez
Portley-Hanks detailed that he assisted the Mail on Sunday and the Daily Mail concerning Prince Harry. He admitted to conducting unlawful actions regarding the prince, though he could not recall specific details.
Controversial Payments
Additionally, Portley-Hanks recounted a troubling incident where Churcher asked him to transmit funds to a former police officer. This money was eventually used to bribe an active police officer for access to confidential files about Jeffrey Epstein. Portley-Hanks mentioned that one of Epstein’s known victims, named Virginia, was traced during this investigation.
Legal Responses
Antony White KC, representing the publisher, vehemently refuted allegations that Prince Harry was a target of unlawful information-gathering activities. He highlighted a lack of evidence supporting the claims brought forth by the plaintiffs. According to White, much of the evidence was alleged to be obtained through financial incentives and intimidation tactics.
White further asserted that there were no specific claims made regarding the commissioning of private investigations involving Graham and Churcher. Moreover, he dismissed the claims of corrupt payments to police, stating the source documents were publicly accessible through civil proceedings related to Epstein.
Conclusion
The trial is slated to conclude in March, with an anticipated written judgment expected thereafter. As this case unfolds, it continues to reveal the complexities and ethical concerns surrounding privacy and information gathering in the media.
