David Tennant wins damages after having his ‘privacy violated’
DAVID TENNANT has received substantial damages and an apology from News Group Newspapers over phone-hacking at the News of the World.
The 46-year-old Doctor Who and Broadchurch star (pictured above) was among six individuals who settled their claims for misuse of private information and breach of confidence at London’s High Court today.
The others include Tennant’s former partner and fellow Doctor Who actor Sophia Myles, as well as actor Rhys Ifans’ former partner, the fashion designer Jess Morris; ‘Primrose Hill Set’ member and party planner Fran Cutler; Olympic medallist Colin Jackson; and Tanya Frayne, ex-wife of footballer David James.
The amount of money awarded was not revealed and counsel Sara Mansoori said it was agreed that NGN made no admission of liability in relation to their claims relating to The Sun.
Ms Mansoori said Mr Tennant ‘is a very private individual and he is outraged and shocked by the invasions of his privacy by individuals working for or acting on behalf of the News of the World’.
She added that NGN publications had also caused ‘upset and suspicion’ among Ms Cutler’s friends — the so-called Primrose Hill Set, which included Sadie Frost, Kate Moss, Meg Mathews and Pearl Lowe — and affected her business.
Meanwhile, Ms Morris believed that the constant exposure of private information caused her relationship with actor Rhys Ifans to deteriorate, ultimately leading to their separation.
Ben Silverstone for NGN, which is also paying the claimants’ legal costs, offered its sincere apologies for the distress caused and said it accepted it had no right to intrude into his private life in this way.
Steven Heffer, of law firm Collyer Bristow, said: ‘Our clients have been through a distressing ordeal, and it is absolutely right that News Group Newspapers have apologised, acknowledged the harm they caused in open court and paid compensation.
‘Our clients had their privacy violated, and an apology helps our clients to move on.’
None of the celebrities were in court.
Author: Ann Jones
