Singer Elton John expressed his outrage at the High Court in London on Friday after discovering allegations that his landline phones were allegedly wiretapped on behalf of the Daily Mail, deeming the actions as a violation of basic human decency. The renowned musician, famous for songs like “Rocket Man” and “Your Song,” is involved in a legal battle against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail, along with his spouse David Furnish, Prince Harry, and four others over claims of widespread privacy breaches.
Associated Newspapers has denied the accusations of phone hacking and other unlawful activities, asserting that their articles were based on information already public or obtained from legitimate sources, including celebrities’ social circles. The company dismissed the allegations as “baseless smears.”
During the court proceedings, Elton John, appearing via video link in a blue shirt and green jacket, mentioned that he only became aware of the alleged misconduct by the Daily Mail when his close friend, actress Elizabeth Hurley, who is also a claimant, informed him. Hurley had been informed by a private investigator that John’s landline phones were compromised while she was staying with him shortly after the birth of her child.
The private investigator’s testimony has become a key point of contention in the case as he initially supported the claimants but later retracted his statement, casting doubt on its credibility. Elton John, who has had a successful music career spanning over six decades with over 300 million records sold, expressed his outrage upon realizing the severity of the situation.
John, who mentioned he did not use a mobile phone, disclosed that his three landline phones were allegedly hacked while Hurley was at his residence. He emphasized his displeasure at the situation, attributing his absence in person due to his eyesight limitations.
The court proceedings also involved questioning by Associated’s lawyer regarding articles published between 2002 and 2015, suggesting that the information might have originated from John’s spokesperson or lawful sources within his social circle. John firmly stated that his friends do not engage with the press, emphasizing the importance of their loyalty.
Elton John and David Furnish raised concerns about a 2010 article regarding their child’s surrogacy, citing that the Daily Mail obtained their son’s birth certificate before them. John described the invasion into their private lives as “sickening” and a breach of human decency, particularly highlighting the intrusion into his medical history during the birth of their son Zachary.
Elton John is the final claimant to provide evidence in the ongoing trial, which is set to conclude next month after a nine-week duration.
