Journalists from the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday have been fully vindicated after the High Court dismissed all 57 claims brought against them. The ruling follows a four-year legal challenge that questioned the integrity and professionalism of the news organizations' reporters.
Mr. Justice Nicklin, delivering the 436-page judgment, issued commendations for several journalists involved. Associate Editor (Investigations) Stephen Wright was found to have given "truthful" and "honest" evidence, clearing him of allegations of unlawfully targeting the family of Stephen Lawrence. The judge accepted Wright's "coherent account" and confirmed all his articles were lawfully sourced.
Royal Editor Rebecca English was described as "an impressive and honest witness." The judge criticized the claimants for making "serious" phone-hacking allegations against her "without evidential foundation."
Former Investigations Editor Paul Henderson was found to be a "clear and convincing witness," with the ruling dismissing claims against him. The judge accepted Henderson's "clear and emphatic denials" of commissioning unlawful acts, stating, "He was a truthful witness."
Chris Anderson, former Associate Editor at The Mail on Sunday, was also deemed a "truthful witness." The judge acknowledged Anderson had been "plainly distressed" by allegations based on "untested hearsay" and accepted his "straightforward and emphatic denial" of commissioning illegally sourced stories.
Former Royal Editor Katie Nicholl was found to be "a credible and impressive witness" whose evidence was accepted as "honest." The judge also criticized the claimants for advancing "unfounded allegations of phone hacking" against her.
Charlotte Griffiths, Editor-at-Large for The Mail on Sunday, was credited as "an impressive witness." Allegations of using hacking or blagging were dismissed after the judge accepted her "evidence as honest." He found the evidence provided by Griffiths and Nicholl regarding the sourcing of an article about Elton John to be "truthful and persuasive."
Former Showbiz Editor Nicole Lampert was described as "a careful and impressive witness." The judge praised her "composed response to damaging claims," stating she "responded calmly, firmly and without exaggeration" and that he regarded her as "a truthful witness."
Editor-at-Large Alison Boshoff was called a "straightforward and candid witness" whose evidence was "coherent and rooted in her general working practices." The judge accepted her evidence as honest, including her denial of using any private investigator, search agent, pretext call, or voicemail interception.
Sam Greenhill, Chief Reporter for the Daily Mail, was found to be "an honest witness" whose evidence was accepted, with his manner of answering questions described as "straightforward."
The Mail on Sunday's US Editor Caroline Graham was deemed a "credible and honest witness" who gave "her evidence in a direct manner." The judge noted that in relation to article-specific challenges, Graham was "doing her best to answer the questions she was asked."
Senior Editor-at-Large Richard Kay was described by Mr. Justice Nicklin as "an honest witness who did his best to assist the Court in relation to a short Diary item published more than 20 years ago."
David Dillon, Editor of The Mail on Sunday, was found to be "clearly honest and truthful," with the judge accepting him as "a reliable and truthful witness."
Paul Bracchi, Senior Features Writer, was found to be "a straightforward and truthful witness."
Features Writer Barbara Jones was described as "an impressive witness," with the judge accepting her "coherent and credible" account. She was credited for her "straightforward and direct approach," and damaging claims against her were rejected "in emphatic terms."
Former Chief American Correspondent of The Mail on Sunday, Sharon Churcher, was described as "an experienced journalist who gave evidence in a direct and... candid way." The judge formed the "clear impression that Ms Churcher was affronted by the allegations of impropriety."
Former journalist Richard Price was considered "a credible and clear witness" whose "answers were direct and unembellished."
Former showbiz journalist Richard Simpson was found to be a "truthful," "credible and generally reliable witness," with the judge accepting his evidence regarding the lawful sourcing of his stories.