US Investigator Admits to Privacy Breaches for UK Tabloids in High-Profile Legal Case
Published 3 February 2026
Highlights
- Dan Portley-Hanks, a US private investigator, admitted to "unlawful stuff" for the Daily Mail concerning Prince Harry and other celebrities.
- Portley-Hanks worked for Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) from the early 1990s until the early 2010s, earning approximately $1 million.
- Seven high-profile claimants, including Prince Harry and Sir Elton John, accuse ANL of privacy breaches over two decades.
- ANL denies all allegations, describing them as "lurid" and "preposterous," and challenges Portley-Hanks' claims.
- The case highlights ongoing concerns about press misconduct and privacy violations in the UK.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: US Investigator Admits to Privacy Breaches for UK Tabloids in High-Profile Legal Case
A US private investigator has confessed to engaging in unlawful activities for the Daily Mail and its sister publication, the Mail on Sunday, as part of a high-profile legal case involving Prince Harry and other celebrities. Dan Portley-Hanks, known as "Detective Danno," provided a written statement to the High Court, revealing his involvement in gathering private information for Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over two decades.
Portley-Hanks, who began his career as a private investigator after a stint in prison, stated that he worked for ANL from the early 1990s until the early 2010s. During this period, he earned approximately $1 million, which allowed him to purchase a large house in California and accumulate significant savings. Despite his lucrative career, he declared bankruptcy after ANL ceased using his services following the 2012 Leveson inquiry into press practices.
High-Profile Claimants and Allegations
The case against ANL involves seven high-profile claimants, including Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence. They accuse the publisher of "grave breaches of privacy" through unlawful information gathering techniques. Portley-Hanks admitted to obtaining private details, such as phone records and contact information, for various celebrities, including Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and singer Jennifer Lopez.
In his testimony, Portley-Hanks claimed he did not initially believe his actions were illegal but now acknowledges their unlawfulness under UK law. ANL's legal team disputes these allegations, maintaining that their journalists did not engage in any wrongdoing and dismissing the claims as "lurid" and "preposterous."
Allegations of Concealment and Misconduct
Portley-Hanks further alleged that ANL attempted to conceal its continued use of private investigators by instructing him to change his email address, posing as a Hollywood reporter. He also recounted an incident where he was part of a chain to pay a police officer for confidential documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a claim ANL denies.
Despite his admissions, Portley-Hanks struggled to recall specific details of his work for Prince Harry and other claimants, stating only that he knew he had done "unlawful stuff" for them.
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Scenario Analysis
The ongoing legal battle between Prince Harry and ANL could have significant implications for press freedom and privacy rights in the UK. If the court rules in favor of the claimants, it may prompt stricter regulations on media practices and reinforce the need for ethical journalism. Conversely, a ruling in favor of ANL could embolden tabloids to continue aggressive information-gathering tactics.
Legal experts suggest that this case could set a precedent for future privacy lawsuits, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of media organizations' methods. As the trial progresses, it will be crucial to monitor how the court balances the right to privacy against the freedom of the press.
A US private investigator has confessed to engaging in unlawful activities for the Daily Mail and its sister publication, the Mail on Sunday, as part of a high-profile legal case involving Prince Harry and other celebrities. Dan Portley-Hanks, known as "Detective Danno," provided a written statement to the High Court, revealing his involvement in gathering private information for Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over two decades.
Portley-Hanks, who began his career as a private investigator after a stint in prison, stated that he worked for ANL from the early 1990s until the early 2010s. During this period, he earned approximately $1 million, which allowed him to purchase a large house in California and accumulate significant savings. Despite his lucrative career, he declared bankruptcy after ANL ceased using his services following the 2012 Leveson inquiry into press practices.
High-Profile Claimants and Allegations
The case against ANL involves seven high-profile claimants, including Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence. They accuse the publisher of "grave breaches of privacy" through unlawful information gathering techniques. Portley-Hanks admitted to obtaining private details, such as phone records and contact information, for various celebrities, including Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and singer Jennifer Lopez.
In his testimony, Portley-Hanks claimed he did not initially believe his actions were illegal but now acknowledges their unlawfulness under UK law. ANL's legal team disputes these allegations, maintaining that their journalists did not engage in any wrongdoing and dismissing the claims as "lurid" and "preposterous."
Allegations of Concealment and Misconduct
Portley-Hanks further alleged that ANL attempted to conceal its continued use of private investigators by instructing him to change his email address, posing as a Hollywood reporter. He also recounted an incident where he was part of a chain to pay a police officer for confidential documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a claim ANL denies.
Despite his admissions, Portley-Hanks struggled to recall specific details of his work for Prince Harry and other claimants, stating only that he knew he had done "unlawful stuff" for them.
What this might mean
The ongoing legal battle between Prince Harry and ANL could have significant implications for press freedom and privacy rights in the UK. If the court rules in favor of the claimants, it may prompt stricter regulations on media practices and reinforce the need for ethical journalism. Conversely, a ruling in favor of ANL could embolden tabloids to continue aggressive information-gathering tactics.
Legal experts suggest that this case could set a precedent for future privacy lawsuits, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of media organizations' methods. As the trial progresses, it will be crucial to monitor how the court balances the right to privacy against the freedom of the press.
