In a recent court hearing, former Daily Mail editor, Sarah Lampert, faced allegations related to voicemail hacking of actress Sadie Frost. The claims arose from four articles she authored between 2003 and 2005.
Denial of Hacking Claims
During her testimony, Lampert firmly denied ever accessing voicemail messages for information. She labeled the allegations as “rubbish.” Moreover, she maintained that the content of the articles was either publicly available or sourced from a trusted freelance journalist, Sharon Feinstein.
Details of the Articles
- One article published in October 2004 referenced a £10 million divorce settlement discussion.
- Law’s solicitors subsequently challenged claims suggesting he had accepted the settlement.
- The Daily Mail later issued an apology regarding the reporting.
Lampert pointed out that her reporting relied on reliable sources within Frost’s social circle rather than unlawful methods. She stated that her collaboration with Feinstein provided her with valuable insights.
Breach of Privacy Allegations
Law’s representative, David Sherborne, questioned Lampert on another article that detailed personal conversations between Frost and her ex-husband during their marriage breakdown. Sherborne insinuated that such information could only have been acquired through illegal voicemail access.
In her defense, Lampert reiterated that she had not engaged in any form of voicemail hacking. “I had an amazing human source via a trusted freelance journalist,” she clarified, dismissing Sherborne’s suggestions as “rubbish.”
Broader Context of the Case
The ongoing case includes allegations from multiple claimants, including Prince Harry. They accuse Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) of systematic unlawful information gathering from 1993 to beyond 2018. These claims encompass tactics such as hiring private investigators and other dubious methods.
This legal battle is expected to last around nine weeks, as layers of controversy regarding media ethics and privacy rights unfold in court. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for journalism standards in the UK.
