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Former Daily Mail editor tells hacking trial allegations are ‘preposterous’

In a statement to the High Court, Paul Dacre described allegations of Daily Mail staff collecting information through unlawful means as “inconceivable”.

Paul Dacre, the former editor of the Daily Mail, has denied allegations of unlawful newsgathering at the paper, describing them as "preposterous" and stating that he "utterly refutes" the claims.

Dacre walking in front of a black metal fence. He wears a long black coat, a white shirt and blue tie. He looks sincere — Paul Dacre started giving evidence on Tuesday, and will return to the High Court on Wednesday

A group of seven individuals, including Prince Harry and Sir Elton John, have filed a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, alleging "grave breaches of privacy".

As the current editor-in-chief of DMG Media Ltd, the parent company of ANL, Dacre has reiterated the company's denial of all allegations related to unlawful information gathering.

Dacre expressed his concern for the well-being of his staff, stating that the allegations have had a profound impact on their lives over the past three years, causing significant distress.

During the Leveson Inquiry into press standards 14 years ago, Dacre addressed questions regarding the paper's use of private investigators to obtain information, defending the actions of Associated Newspapers at the time.

On Tuesday, Dacre faced similar questions from barrister David Sherborne, who is representing the seven claimants, in a court hearing that revisited issues from the past.

Dacre claimed that he was not fully aware of the extent to which the paper used private investigators, referred to as "inquiry agents", until around 2007, at which point he took steps to discontinue the practice.

Sherborne questioned Dacre's motivations, suggesting that his involvement in the case may be driven by a desire to protect his legacy rather than seeking a fair outcome, to which Dacre responded that he wants to clear his name and support his staff.

In response to allegations of widespread phone hacking and tapping at the Daily Mail, Dacre stated that he categorically rejects these claims, asserting that such illegal activities would not have been tolerated during his tenure as editor.

Dacre also stated that if he had been informed of any instances of journalists or agents obtaining information through illicit means, he would have taken swift and severe action.

The allegations have taken a significant toll on Dacre, who wrote in his witness statement that they have caused him considerable distress and anger, particularly in quiet moments, and have also had a profound impact on past and present staff members.

One of the claimants, Baroness Lawrence, the mother of murdered schoolboy Stephen Lawrence, has a notable connection to the Daily Mail, which had previously campaigned on her behalf.

Lawrence alleges that ANL subjected her to hidden electronic surveillance, phone tapping, and bank account monitoring, according to her claim.

She previously testified that learning of these allegations has made her feel like a victim once again.

Dacre expressed sympathy for Lawrence, stating that "my heart bleeds for Doreen Lawrence".

In his statement, Dacre found Lawrence's claims regarding the campaign to be particularly perplexing and personally hurtful.

The exchange between Sherborne and Dacre became confrontational at times, with a noticeable tension between the two.

At one point, Sherborne suggested that Dacre selectively remembers events that are favorable to his position, while deliberately forgetting those that might be detrimental.

Towards the end of the day, Mr Justice Nicklin intervened, cautioning Sherborne that his line of questioning was more suited to a public inquiry, and expressing concern that many of the questions lacked relevance to the case at hand.

Dacre is scheduled to return to the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday to continue his testimony.

The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Nicklin, is expected to conclude in March, with a written judgment to be issued at a later date.

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GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

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Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair - smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible. — Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera. He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night. — Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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