Dyer Settles Phone-Hacking Claim Against Mirror PublisherWednesday, 20th Nov 2024 16:56

Former Town midfielder Kieron Dyer has received an apology and a financial payout from Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) after settling his phone-hacking case at the high court earlier today.

In court today, MGN Ltd admitted that between March 2003 and December 2004 they unlawfully intercepted the then-Newcastle and England player's voicemails as well as utilising private investigators to access private information on eight separate occasions, although denied or did not admit that the articles were the product of the unlawful activity.

"MGN accepts and acknowledges that the claimant's private information should not have been obtained and used in the manner it was."

Rebekah Finch, the legal director of TLT, who acted for Dyer, said: "This is a milestone achievement for Kieron who has been litigating for almost six years and waited a very long time for this outcome. It's impossible to imagine the impact of MGN's conduct.

"These actions have had lifelong consequences on his wellbeing, and we're pleased that we were able to reach this settlement for him in recognition of the harm caused."

Mr Dyer asserted that his voicemail messages were intercepted by MGN's journalists who were consequently privy to private and confidential voicemail messages from family and friends leading to the publication of articles in MGN's newspapers.

"MGN has admitted to unlawfully intercepting Mr Dyer's voicemails between March 2003 and December 2004, and using private investigators to unlawfully obtain private information on eight occasions in 2003 and 2005. However, MGN denied, or did not admit, that the articles were the product of unlawful information gathering activities.

"Mr Dyer was significantly impacted by press intrusion at the time and remembers being followed and approached by journalists and photographers at his family home and on nights out.

"Mr Dyer feels this led to a lack of trust in those close to him. It also impacted his mental health, he described the experience as 'horrible' and that he felt 'ridiculed'."

As part of the settlement, MGN has also provided an undertaking not to access or attempt to access voicemails left for or by him or otherwise illegally obtain his private information and agreed to pay his reasonable legal costs.

Dyer is currently working as a first-team coach under ex-Blues boss Paul Cook at League Two Chesterfield.

In 2018, former Town chief executive Simon Clegg settled a phone-hacking claim against News Group Newspapers, receiving an apology and financial settlement.

Photo: Action Images

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Edmundo added 17:41 - Nov 20As if he hasn't been through enough, these gutter press journalists drag him through the courts before accepting they actually did it.