Honest, credible, careful, impressive... what judge said about our reporters during High Court trial

By INDERDEEP BAINS, CHIEF NEWS CORRESPONDENT Published: 00:20, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 00:20, 8 July 2026 Journalists at the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday were comprehensively vindicated yesterday after the High Court dismissed every one of the 57 claims levelled against them. After four years of having their integrity and professionalism questioned by Prince Harry and his fellow claimants, the 436-page judgment couldn't be clearer. Here is what Mr Justice Nicklin had to say: Stephen Wright, Associate Editor (Investigations) The judge found that the veteran crime reporter gave 'truthful' and 'honest' evidence as he cleared him of unlawfully targeting the family of Stephen Lawrence. Dismissing all allegations against him, he said the award-winning reporter gave a 'coherent account' when giving evidence and accepted all his articles were lawfully sourced. The Mail's long-standing Royal Editor Rebecca English was completely vindicated, with the judge calling her 'an impressive and honest witness' The Mail's long-standing Royal Editor was completely vindicated, with the judge calling her 'an impressive and honest witness'. He criticised the claimants for making 'serious' phone-hacking allegations against the journalist 'without evidential foundation'. Paul Henderson, former Investigations Editor at The Mail on Sunday Mr Henderson was found to be a 'clear and convincing witness' as the ruling dismissed the claims against him. Mr Justice Nicklin said he accepted the journalist's 'clear and emphatic denials' of commissioning unlawful acts, adding: 'He was a truthful witness.' Chris Anderson, former Associate Editor at The Mail on Sunday The judge found Mr Anderson to be a 'truthful witness' and acknowledged he had been left 'plainly distressed' by the allegations put against him from 'untested hearsay'. He said he had 'no hesitation' in accepting the journalist's 'straightforward and emphatic denial' of commissioning illegally sourced stories. Katie Nicholl, former Royal Editor at The Mail on Sunday Ms Nicholl was found to 'be a credible and impressive witness' and the judge accepted 'her evidence as honest'. He also criticised the claimants for advancing unfounded allegations of phone hacking against her that he said should never have been made. Charlotte Griffiths, Editor-at-Large, The Mail on Sunday Crediting Ms Griffiths as an 'impressive witness', the judge dismissed allegations of using hacking or blagging after accepting her 'evidence as honest'. He said Ms Griffiths' and Ms Nicholl's evidence regarding the sourcing of an article about Elton John was 'truthful and persuasive'. Nicole Lampert, former Showbiz Editor Ms Lampert was described as 'a careful and impressive witness'. Praising her composed response to damaging claims, he said 'she responded calmly, firmly and without exaggeration', adding: 'I regard her as a truthful witness.' Alison Boshoff, Editor-at-Large Alison Boshoff was praised by the judge for being a 'straightforward and candid witness', while Stephen Wright gave 'truthful' and 'honest' evidence  Ms Boshoff was a 'straightforward and candid witness' whose evidence was 'coherent and rooted in her general working practices', the judge said. He added: 'I accept her evidence as honest, including her denial that she used any private investigator, search agent, pretext call or voicemail interception.' Dismissing claims against the Daily Mail's multi-award-winning reporter, the judge said: 'I found Mr Greenhill to be an honest witness, and I accept his evidence. His manner of answering questions was straightforward.' Caroline Graham, The Mail on Sunday's US Editor The judge found Ms Graham to be a 'credible and honest witness' who gave 'her evidence in a direct manner'. 'In relation to the article-specific challenges raised against her, I record here only my general impression that Ms Graham was doing her best to answer the questions she was asked,' he said. Richard Kay, Senior Editor-at-Large Mr Justice Nicklin said Richard Kay was 'an honest witness who did his best to assist the Court in relation to a short Diary item published more than 20 years ago' The judge found Caroline Graham to be a 'credible and honest witness' who gave 'her evidence in a direct manner' and Sam Greenhill to be 'an honest witness, and I accept his evidence' Mr Justice Nicklin said Mr Kay was 'an honest witness who did his best to assist the Court in relation to a short Diary item published more than 20 years ago'. David Dillon, Editor of The Mail on Sunday Mr Dillon was found to be 'clearly honest and truthful'. The judge concluded: 'I accept Mr Dillon as a reliable and truthful witness'. Paul Bracchi, Senior Features Writer The judge said 'I found Mr Bracchi to be a straightforward and truthful witness.' Barbara Jones, Features Writer  Described as an 'impressive witness', the judge said in his ruling that he accepted her 'coherent and credible' account. She was credited for her 'straightforward and direct approach', and rejected damaging claims 'in emphatic terms'. Sharon Churcher, former Chief American Correspondent of The Mail on Sunday Ms Churcher was 'an experienced journalist who gave evidence in a direct and... candid way', the judge said, adding: 'I formed the clear impression that Ms Churcher was affronted by the allegations of impropriety.' Richard Price, former journalist Mr Price was 'a credible and clear witness' whose 'answers were direct and unembellished'. Richard Simpson, former showbiz journalist Mr Simpson was found to be a 'truthful', 'credible and generally reliable witness' by the judge, who accepted his evidence as to the lawful sourcing of his stories.