Sir Elton John is among a group of famous faces suing a newspaper company over allegations of “abhorrent criminal activity”.

The singer, who has strong ties with Watford, is joining his husband David Furnish, Prince Harry, Doreen Lawrence, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost in taking action against Associated Newspapers.

Associated Newspapers owns several publications including the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.

Legal filings made today (October 6) show the newspaper group has been accused of of "gross breaches of privacy".

Unlawful acts alleged to have taken place include:

  • "the hiring of private investigators to secretly place listening devices inside people’s cars and homes”
  • “the commissioning of individuals to surreptitiously listen into and record people’s live, private telephone calls whilst they were taking place”
  • “the payment of police officials, with corrupt links to private investigators, for inside, sensitive information”
  • “the impersonation of individuals to obtain medical information from private hospitals, clinics, and treatment centres by deception”
  • “the accessing of bank accounts, credit histories and financial transactions through illicit means and manipulation"

The filing goes on to claim that "the alleged crimes listed above represent the tip of the iceberg - and that many other innocent people remain unknowing victims of similar terrible and reprehensible covert acts".

The six public figures say they plan to "hold the journalists responsible fully accountable, many of whom still hold senior positions of authority and power today", in a press release issued by law firm Hamlins.

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