US Private Investigator Details 'Unlawful' Work for Daily Mail in High-Profile Legal Battle
A retired private investigator based in the United States, Daniel Portley-Hanks, has provided compelling evidence in a landmark case against Associated Newspapers Ltd, the publisher of the Daily Mail. The case, brought by high-profile claimants including Prince Harry, Elizabeth Hurley, and Elton John, centres on allegations of unlawful information gathering practices spanning decades.
Portley-Hanks, also known as "Detective Danno," testified that he received approximately $1 million for services rendered to the Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail, funds that enabled him to purchase a substantial property in California and accumulate significant savings. He stated that this income was "almost entirely" derived from his work for the publisher, highlighting the lucrative nature of his assignments.
Allegations of Concealment and Unlawful Activities
During his testimony, Portley-Hanks admitted to engaging in activities he now believes were unlawful under UK law, such as gathering personal data without consent. He described himself as "the database guy," capable of locating a target's contact details and private information within minutes using just a name or phone number. Despite this, he claimed that at the time, he did not consider his actions illegal, a point contested by Associated Newspapers' legal team, who referenced his prior public statements denying any lawbreaking.
The investigator further alleged that the publisher attempted to conceal its ongoing use of private investigators by instructing him to change his email address to appear as a Hollywood reporter. He also made a startling claim about being part of a chain to facilitate a payment to a serving police officer for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, an allegation firmly denied by Associated Newspapers.
High-Profile Claimants and Specific Accusations
The case involves seven claimants, with Prince Harry, Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, Simon Hughes, and Doreen Lawrence all accusing the publisher of employing illicit techniques to obtain private information. Portley-Hanks recalled conducting work related to Prince Harry, Elton John, and Elizabeth Hurley, though he could not specify the exact details. In a written submission, he stated, "I know that I did unlawful stuff on him [Prince Harry], but I cannot recall what exactly."
Associated Newspapers has vehemently denied all allegations, describing them as "lurid" and "preposterous." The publisher asserts that its journalists have always operated within legal boundaries and that the claims lack supporting evidence. Its legal team argued that Portley-Hanks is of "doubtful relevance" to the case due to insufficient proof linking him to stories about the claimants.
Background and Ongoing Trial Developments
Portley-Hanks, 79, revealed that his work for the publisher ceased after the 2012 Leveson inquiry, leading to his bankruptcy. He mentioned being told he could continue only if he relinquished his private investigator's licence. With a checkered past that includes periods of imprisonment, most recently in 2017 for involvement with a violent gambling group, his credibility has been a focal point in the proceedings.
The trial has seen further intrigue with uncertainty over whether Gavin Burrows, another private investigator, will testify. Burrows, who now disputes a previous admission of unlawful activity as a "forgery," has expressed willingness to give evidence only from a secret location, a move described by the claimants' lawyer as "highly unorthodox."
As the case continues, it underscores ongoing tensions between media practices and privacy rights, with potential implications for press regulation and accountability in the UK.
