Renowned musician Elton John expressed his outrage in London’s High Court on Friday upon discovering allegations that his landline phones were allegedly bugged on behalf of the Daily Mail, condemning the newspaper’s actions as a breach of basic human decency. Elton John, famous for songs like “Rocket Man” and “Your Song,” is currently in a legal battle against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail, along with his husband David Furnish, Prince Harry, and four others, over claims of widespread privacy violations.
Associated Newspapers has denied the accusations of phone hacking and other illicit activities, asserting that their news reports were sourced from publicly available information or legitimate sources within celebrities’ social circles. They have dismissed the allegations as baseless attacks.
Elton John, appearing via video link in a blue shirt and green jacket, disclosed that he was made aware of the alleged misconduct by the Daily Mail through his friend, actress Elizabeth Hurley, another claimant in the case. Hurley was informed by a private investigator that Elton John’s landline phones were compromised during her visit shortly after the birth of her child.
The credibility of the evidence from the private investigator has become a focal point of contention in the trial, as the investigator initially supported the claimants but later retracted his statement, casting doubt on its authenticity. Elton John, with a career spanning six decades and over 300 million records sold, emphasized his outrage upon discovering the breach of his privacy.
Elton John, who stated that he did not use a mobile phone, revealed that his three landline phones were allegedly hacked while Hurley was staying with him. He expressed his frustration over the situation and apologized for appearing via video link due to visual impairment preventing his physical presence in court.
In questioning by Associated’s lawyer Catrin Evans, Elton John refuted suggestions that information in articles published between 2002 and 2015 could have come from his spokesperson or lawful sources, emphasizing that his friends do not engage with the press to maintain their trust. He criticized the defense for diverting attention from the alleged misconduct by focusing on irrelevant details.
Elton John and David Furnish raised concerns about a 2010 article regarding their son’s birth through surrogacy, alleging that the Daily Mail obtained their son’s birth certificate before them. Elton John described the invasion of his medical privacy and details surrounding his son’s birth as abhorrent and a violation of fundamental standards of decency.
Elton John is the final claimant to provide testimony in the trial, which is expected to conclude next month after a nine-week proceeding.