The timing could not be worse for Paul Dacre. The former editor of the Daily Mail has to deal with lawsuits alleging serious wrongdoing during his time in charge of the newspaper – just days before he is expected to fulfil his dream and be made a Tory member of the House of Lords.
Now Dacre faces the prospect of seeing the Daily Mail’s parent company Associated Newspapers dragged into a lengthy legal battle, where he could have to give evidence under oath about his newspaper’s activities in the name of journalism. According to a statement issued by lawyers for the six individuals, the claims include allegations of illegal activity such as homes being bugged, deceptive tactics used to obtain private medical information and the tapping of live phone calls.
