Paul Dacre says claims Mail broke law to target Doreen Lawrence ‘bitterly wounding’

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Michael Savage Media editorFebruary 10, 2026 at 07:18 PM

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Paul Dacre, former Daily Mail editor, testified in court that he was "bitterly wounded" by allegations that his paper illegally targeted Doreen Lawrence, mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence. Lawrence and six other claimants, including Prince Harry and Elton John, are suing Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail, for unlawful information gathering. Dacre denies the claims, which include bugging, phone tapping, and hacking, calling them "grave and sometimes preposterous." He highlighted the Daily Mail's 15-year campaign to bring Stephen Lawrence's killers to justice, making Lawrence's claims particularly bewildering. Dacre stated that one article Lawrence is complaining about, regarding a public inquiry into her son's murder, was given to him by the then home secretary Jack Straw. ANL denies all claims made by the group of seven claimants.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Gary Dobson 30% David Furnish 40% Elizabeth Hurley 40% Sadie Frost 40% Prince Harry 50% Elton John 50% Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) ×260% Jack Straw ×260% Daily Mail ×370% Stephen Lawrence ×370% Doreen Lawrence ×680% Paul Dacre ×790%

Keywords

paul dacre 90% daily mail 80% doreen lawrence 80% unlawful information gathering 70% stephen lawrence 70% phone hacking 60% high court 50% associated newspapers ltd 50% criminal tactics 50% libel 40%

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Negative

Score: -0.20

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The Guardian - World News

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90%

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paul dacre daily mail doreen lawrence unlawful information gathering stephen lawrence phone hacking high court associated newspapers ltd criminal tactics libel

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