Ex-Mail reporter denies making payments for Lawrence information

"Former Daily Mail investigative reporter Stephen Wright has bitterly criticised claims he paid private investigators for information about the Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry. Wright told the High Court they were the "most despicable allegations it is possible to put to any journalist" and that the claims were "utter nonsense". Giving evidence at the privacy case brought by Lawrence's mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, against the Mail's publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL),"

"Baroness Lawrence accuses Wright and the newspaper publisher of using unlawful methods to research five articles about the case of her son's racially motivated murder in 1993, based on evidence from several private investigators. Baroness Lawrence is one of a number of high-profile figures, including Prince Harry and Sir Elton John, who are suing ANL for "grave breaches of privacy". Allegations include phone tapping over a 20-year period. ANL has strongly denied the claims."

"At the High Court, barrister David Sherborne, representing Baroness Lawrence, questioned Wright about whether the Daily Mail's reporting was partly motivated by a belief that the Lawrence family was benefiting financially from the case. "I have worked tirelessly for 25 years to help the Lawrence family get justice for their son," Wright, a veteran Daily Mail staffer, responded. "Mr Sherborne you should be ashamed of yourself ... given what Mr and Mrs Lawrence went through I wouldn't begrudge them any money.""

Stephen Wright, a former Daily Mail investigative reporter, denied allegations that he paid private investigators for information about the Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry. He told the High Court the accusations were "despicable" and "utter nonsense" and said he was proud of campaigning for the conviction of Lawrence's killers. Baroness Doreen Lawrence alleges Wright and Associated Newspapers used unlawful methods for five articles based on private investigator evidence. She joins other high-profile claimants suing Associated Newspapers for grave privacy breaches, including alleged phone tapping over two decades. Associated Newspapers has strongly denied all claims.

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