Quick Summary
- 1Elizabeth Hurley testified in London against Associated Newspapers Limited in a lawsuit concerning the illegal acquisition of personal data.
- 2The actress broke down in tears while recounting how the Daily Mail published a secret about her son's father that she had hoped to keep private for two decades.
- 3Prince Harry, who is also a claimant in the case, was present in the courtroom and comforted Hurley's son, Damian, during the emotional testimony.
- 4The lawsuit centers on articles published 20 years ago that revealed private information about her son's paternity and name.
A Public Reckoning
Elizabeth Hurley faced a deeply personal moment in the public eye this week, testifying in a London courtroom about a secret she had guarded for two decades. The 60-year-old actress and model appeared before the High Court as part of her lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail.
The case centers on articles published 20 years ago that revealed private information about her son, Damian Hurley, and his father, Steve Bing. What was meant to remain a private family matter was thrust into the public spotlight, and Hurley is now seeking legal recourse for what she describes as the illegal acquisition of her personal data.
Tears in the Courtroom
During her testimony, Hurley's composure broke as she recalled the painful details. The actress sobbed while describing the impact of the articles, which she had hoped her son would never have to read. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable as she spoke about the lasting damage caused by the public disclosure.
The court heard how the articles claimed that Damian's father, the late Steve Bing, had alleged Hurley gave their son "the name of the devil." This was a reference to the name Valentino, which Bing reportedly objected to. Hurley had sought to keep this private, but the Daily Mail brought it to light.
"I was mortified thinking that my son would one day read all these things and it hurts that today they are being brought out and repeated again."
Her testimony highlighted the ongoing pain caused by the decades-old publication.
"I was mortified thinking that my son would one day read all these things and it hurts that today they are being brought out and repeated again."— Elizabeth Hurley, Actress
A Private Grief, Publicly Exposed
The lawsuit specifically targets articles published approximately 20 years ago. These pieces revealed deeply personal details about the paternity and naming of her firstborn child. For Hurley, the issue was not just the initial publication, but the lasting legacy of that exposure.
The core of her legal argument is that the information was obtained through illegal means. The lawsuit alleges that the newspaper group engaged in the unlawful acquisition of private data, violating her and her son's right to privacy. The case is part of a broader legal action involving multiple claimants.
- Articles published 20 years ago revealed a private family matter.
- The information concerned the name and father of her son, Damian.
- Hurley testified that she never wanted her son to read these articles.
- The lawsuit alleges illegal data acquisition by the publisher.
An Unlikely Supporter
The courtroom was not solely occupied by the legal parties. Prince Harry was also present, providing a quiet show of support. As one of seven claimants in the broader lawsuit against the newspaper group, he had testified the previous day. On this day, however, his focus was on offering comfort to the younger generation affected by the proceedings.
While Hurley gave her emotional testimony, Prince Harry was seen consoling her son, Damian Hurley. The presence of the Duke of Sussex underscores the high-profile nature of the case and the shared experience among the claimants, who all allege similar invasions of privacy by the same media organization.
A Family's Past, A Legal Future
The timing of the trial added another layer of poignancy. Hurley was scheduled to travel to Rome immediately following her testimony for the funeral of Valentino, the very name at the heart of the 20-year-old dispute. The name, chosen by Hurley, was the subject of Steve Bing's alleged criticism in the articles.
The legal battle continues as the court examines the extent of the data acquisition and the damages caused. For Hurley, the trial is a painful but necessary step in addressing a long-held grievance and protecting her family's privacy from past intrusions.
"I didn't want my son to read it,"
she lamented in her statement, a sentiment that captures the core of her fight against the publication.
The Case Continues
The testimony of Elizabeth Hurley has added a deeply personal dimension to the ongoing lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited. Her emotional account in the London High Court highlights the lasting impact of media intrusion into private family lives.
As the trial proceeds, the court will continue to hear evidence regarding the alleged illegal acquisition of data. The case remains a significant test of privacy rights in the digital age and the responsibilities of media organizations.
"I didn't want my son to read it."— Elizabeth Hurley, Actress
Frequently Asked Questions
The lawsuit, which includes Elizabeth Hurley and Prince Harry as claimants, alleges that the publisher of the Daily Mail illegally acquired private data. Specifically, Hurley's case concerns articles published 20 years ago that revealed private details about her son's paternity and name.
Hurley broke down in tears while recounting the pain caused by the 20-year-old articles. She testified that she was 'mortified' by the thought of her son, Damian, reading the public speculation about his father and the name 'Valentino,' which she had hoped to keep private.
Prince Harry, who is also a claimant in the lawsuit against the newspaper group, was present in the courtroom. While he had testified the previous day, he was seen offering comfort to Elizabeth Hurley's son, Damian, during his mother's emotional testimony.
The name 'Valentino' is central to the private matter revealed by the Daily Mail articles. The articles reported that Steve Bing, Damian's father, had criticized Hurley for giving their son 'the name of the devil,' referring to Valentino. Hurley was traveling to Rome for Valentino's funeral immediately after her testimony.
