David Walliams’s relationships were ‘damaged or destroyed’ as part of phone-hacking intrusion
Comedian was among celebrities to formerly settle damages against newspaper publisher on Thursday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Walliams’s lawyer has said that the comedian’s relationships were “damaged or destroyed” by acts of phone hacking.
The Little Britain star was among a number of celebrities to have formally settled damages against Mirror Group Newspapers at the High Court, it was announced on Thursday (25 February) morning.
Walliams alleged that the newspaper publisher targeted him between 2003 and 2010, with his friends and colleagues being targeted unlawfully to obtain private information.
Roddy Chisholm Batten, who was legally representing Walliams, told the court that the Britain’s Got Talent judge had “suffered distress and embarrassment” through the misuse of his information.
“By intercepting his voicemails, MGN would have been privy to messages of a highly personal nature,” he said. “Many articles identified by Mr Walliams were highly intrusive and were published at a time of intense media intrusion into his life.
Read more: David Walliams among celebrities to settle phone hacking claims
“This had a very significant impact on both his personal life and his professional life. Many relationships were damaged or destroyed as a result of MGN’s conduct and this is a source of huge regret to Mr Walliams.”
Walliams, along with Martin Clunes, Roxanne Pallett, Antony Cotton, Mark and Samantha Womack and Caroline Quentin and her husband, received “substantial compensation” and a public apology after bringing legal action against MGN, which publishes The Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People.