Steve Whittamore says Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday remained his ‘best customers’ for two years after his 2005 conviction
A private investigator convicted of illegally obtaining secret information has said the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday remained his “best customers” after his conviction, the high court has heard.
Steve Whittamore, who was convicted in 2005 and given a conditional discharge, said his activities for the publisher of the titles, Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), spanned from 1998 to 2007.
In a written submission to the court, Whittamore said he and his network of other private investigators provided criminal records and the names and addresses attached to phone numbers, “blagged” personal data collected by deception and obtained itemised phone bills.
“After my conviction, there were some titles who ceased to instruct me; however, some newspapers continued using my services despite this, and these included the Mail on Sunday and the Daily Mail,” he said. “They remained my best customers until April 2007, when the Daily Mail ceased using my services.
