David Furnish

The High Court today released full witness statements in the case brought by Prince Harry, Baroness Lawrence, Sir Elton John and other celebrities against Associated Newspapers, including the statement by the private investigator who has denounced their allegations, saying they are false. In his detailed statement Gavin Burrows denies he has ever conducted any unlawful information gathering for the Daily Mail or the Mail on Sunday.

A private investigator whose 'confessions' form a key element of a privacy case being brought against Associated Newspapers by Prince Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Elton John and others has denied their allegations that he acted illegally against them on behalf of the Daily Mail or Mail on Sunday. The development came as the Duke of Sussex made a surprise appearance at a preliminary court hearing, after flying in from the US overnight. In a smart black suit and blue tie, Harry sat behind his lawyers in Court 76 of the Royal Courts of Justice, listening intently and making notes. Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish also appeared in court in the afternoon, as did Baroness Lawrence, while the actress Sadie Frost attended like Harry for the whole day. The claimants allege they were told that the investigator, Gavin Burrows, had admitted hacking phones, tapping landlines and bugging cars. The allegations were set out in a statement he provided to their lawyers 18 months ago.

Sir Elton John took to Instagram on Saturday to show his fans how he celebrated turning 76. The Don't Go Breaking My Heart hit maker spent the big day with his husband David Furnish, 60, and their two children Zachary Furnish- John, 13 and Elijah Furnish-John, 10. Posting some snaps to his 4.4 million followers, he showed off some huge pink and gold balloons, plus a sweet present of 100 oak trees.