Singer Elton John expressed his outrage in London’s High Court on Friday after discovering allegations that his landline phones were reportedly bugged on behalf of the Daily Mail. He denounced the newspaper’s actions as falling below basic standards of human decency. Elton John, a renowned musician famous for songs like “Rocket Man” and “Your Song,” is currently engaged in a legal battle against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail. The lawsuit alleges widespread privacy violations involving Elton John, his husband David Furnish, Prince Harry, and four others.
Associated Newspapers has refuted the claims of phone hacking and other illicit activities, asserting that their news coverage was sourced from information already in the public domain or obtained through legitimate means, such as connections within celebrity social circles. The company has dismissed the accusations as baseless attacks.
Elton John, appearing via video link in a blue shirt and green jacket, revealed that he first learned about the alleged misconduct through his close friend, actress Elizabeth Hurley, who is also a claimant in the case. Hurley had been informed by a private investigator that Elton John’s landline phones were compromised during her stay at his residence shortly after the birth of her child.
The credibility of the private investigator’s testimony has become a focal point of contention in the trial. Initially supportive of the claimants, the investigator later retracted his statement, casting doubt on its authenticity. Elton John, who has enjoyed a successful music career spanning six decades and sold over 300 million records, expressed his shock and anger upon discovering the breach of his privacy.
During his testimony, Elton John, who mentioned not owning a mobile phone, disclosed that his three landline phones were allegedly hacked while Hurley was staying with him. He described his reaction as one of intense indignation, regretting his inability to attend the court proceedings in person due to visual impairment.
The defense’s attorney, Catrin Evans, questioned Elton John about specific articles published between 2002 and 2015, suggesting that the information might have originated from his spokesperson or lawful sources within his social circle. Elton John vehemently denied this, stating that his true friends refrain from engaging with the press, maintaining their loyalty.
In a notable instance, Elton John and David Furnish raised objections to a 2010 article disclosing details about their son’s birth through surrogacy, alleging that the Daily Mail obtained their child’s birth certificate before they did. Elton John condemned the invasion of his medical privacy and the exposure of personal details surrounding the birth of their son Zachary as abhorrent and a violation of basic human decency.
Elton John is the final witness among the seven claimants in the ongoing trial, which is scheduled to conclude next month.
