Witness claims his earlier testimony was fabricated, shaking the Duke of Sussex’s long-running case
Britain has delivered an unwelcome update for the Duke of Sussex as his legal fight against Associated Newspapers Limited suffers a major setback. A central witness in the case has withdrawn his earlier testimony, creating fresh uncertainty for the group of public figures pursuing claims of privacy violations.
Private investigator Gavin Burrows now says the statement attributed to him in August 2021 was produced without his involvement and even carried a forged signature. He says the document, which appeared to admit to extensive unlawful surveillance such as phone interception and tracking activity, was “completely false.”
Several claimants, including Baroness Doreen Lawrence, David Furnish, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes, began their actions based on information they believed came directly from Burrows. They allege the publisher ran a long-term operation that included using private investigators to access confidential records, listen to private calls and place devices in vehicles. The publisher has denied the allegations throughout the case.
Burrows says he was approached in 2025 by journalist Graham Johnson, who has a past phone-hacking conviction, and pressured to assist with research into press misconduct. He describes being introduced to Dan Waddell, presented as a paralegal, who paid him for consultation meetings. Burrows adds that Johnson suggested he could be paid to produce a formal statement, though Johnson later insisted the offer had been made jokingly.
The witness’s reversal now raises new questions about the foundation of the claims, leaving the Duke of Sussex and other high-profile claimants reassessing their legal position.
