A convicted private investigator testified in court that the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday continued to use his services for obtaining information even after his conviction.
In a recent court hearing, the High Court learned from Steve Whittamore, a private investigator, that the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday were among his main clients even after he was convicted in 2005 for illegally obtaining private information. Whittamore described how he had been working for Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) from 1998 to 2007, providing various forms of information, including criminal records and personal data acquired through deceptive means.
Despite the legal repercussions of his actions, Whittamore noted that his services were still sought by these publications until 2007. He stated that while some newspapers chose to end their professional relationship with him post-conviction, the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday continued to engage his services, highlighting a possible disregard for ethical journalistic practices in favor of obtaining sensitive information. Whittamore’s testimony raises questions about the extent of complicity from these media outlets in illegal information gathering.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about privacy violations and ethical boundaries within the British press. It invites scrutiny not just of the actions of individuals like Whittamore but also of the institutions that have employed them, indicating deeper systemic issues within the media industry regarding accountability and adherence to legal standards. The conversation surrounding press ethics and privacy rights has only intensified in light of this testimony, potentially leading to further legal and regulatory examination of journalistic practices in the UK.
