Former Liberal Democrat vice leader Sir Simon Hughes has given evidence in the privacy case against Associated Newspapers Ltd., the publisher of The Daily Mail. He called the claims “frustrating and untrue” that he should have filed earlier.
Hughes stated in his testimony that it was “distressing to him” when he realized that Associated Newspapers had illegally used private investigators for their own profit. Hughes added that Associated Newspapers’ refusal to apologize was upsetting.
Discussion on the Limitation Period
ANL’s Legal team spent a lot of time examining whether Hughes had waited too long before bringing the case.
In one email from July 2019 Dr Evan Harris was mentioned. He is a former Lib Dem member and Hacked Off character. Based on Byline Investigates reporting, the email recommended that The Mail refrain from using arguments about time limits.
The Claim Crystallized
Hughes said that despite having some information in 2019, his case against ANL was only solidified in 2022. He believed that the News of the World, now defunct, was the culprit for the illegal activities of private investigator Glenn Mulcaire. This belief dated back to 2011. ANL denied all allegations at the Leveson Inquiry.
Hughes said he had lived his entire life adhering to the law, except minor offenses such as speeding. Hughes called ANL’s refusal to admit wrongdoing “unappealing and frustrating.”
Regarding allegations of improper conduct
Hughes clarified he referred to a Byline Investigations article from 2020 when he filed his claim. After realizing that an email sent in 2019 indicated earlier knowledge, he amended his pleading. ANL’s attorney suggested that this was in contradiction to Hughes’ statements. Hughes claimed that in 2022, new evidence changed the nature of the case and validated his claim.
He denied that he had used any “improper arguments” and rejected suggestions that he had concealed information regarding the time limit.
