- Sun hired a private investigator to access information about Meghan Markle.
- Daniel Portley-Hanks says he gave the agency her phone number, address and Social Security number.
- Prince Harry recently sued the editor of The Sun on other phone hacking charges.
- Visit the Insider home page for more stories.
Famous private investigator Daniel “Danno” Portley-Hanks was hired by a UK tabloid to dig up personal information about Meghan Markle and his family when she started dating Prince Harry.
A representative of News Group Newspapers, editor of The Sun, confirmed to Insider that the UK tabloid paid Portley-Hanks, a U.S. private investigator, to obtain information about Markle in 2016.
Portley-Hanks gave The Sun a “comprehensive report” about Markle, as reported by the BBC, which contained her Social Security number, phone numbers – including her cell phone number – and addresses.
It also included information about Markle’s family members, her ex-husband and an ex-boyfriend.
Meghan Markle.
Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty images.
The New York Times reported that Portley-Hanks used the TLOxp service to find the information it needed, which is legal to use. However, he later broke US privacy statutes by sharing the information he found with publications, according to The Times.
Sol appeared to use the information in the report for a series of stories published in 2016 that seemed to share intimate details of the couple’s relationship. For example, the publication apparently used the report to write a story about Harry sending texts to Meghan before their first meeting in 2016.
The Times also reported that the Portley-Hanks investigation led The Sun to track Markle’s father, who later leaked his daughter’s private letters to UK tabloids.
In a statement provided to Insider, News Group Newspapers said it did not request Markle’s Social Security number and contradicted reports by Byline and The Times that Portley-Hanks received $ 2,055 for his services.
“In 2016, The Sun made a legitimate request to Mr. Hanks to search for contact details and addresses for Meghan Markle and possible relatives using legal databases for which he was licensed to use,” the statement said. “He received $ 250.”
“Mr. Hanks was not charged with doing anything illegal or violating any privacy laws – in fact, he was clearly instructed in writing to act legally and he signed a legal pledge that he would,” the statement continued. “The information he provided could not and did not raise any concerns that he had used illegal practices to obtain the information.”
“At no time did The Sun ask for Meghan Markle’s Social Security number, nor did he use the information he provided for any illegal practice,” said the statement from News Group Newspapers. “Sun complies with all laws and regulations and maintains strict protocols regarding obtaining information from third parties. Strict compliance is in place to cover all of our reports.”
On Thursday, Markle and Harry condemned “predatory practices” for some investigative reporting in a statement to Insider.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in December 2017.
Chris Jackson / Getty Images
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex feel that today is an important time for reflection for the media industry and society in general, as this investigative report shows that past days’ predatory practices are still underway, reaping damage irreversible for families and relationships, “the statement read.
“They are grateful to those who work in the media and defend the values of journalism, which are needed now more than ever,” the statement said.
Prince Harry filed a lawsuit against The Sun for phone hacking allegations in 2019, and he and Markle talked about the harassment and racism that Markle experienced at the hands of the British media.
The news comes amid tension between the Sussex and the rest of the royal family after their bombastic interview with Oprah Winfrey.
During the interview, Markle revealed that she was having suicidal thoughts, but was not allowed to get help during her time as a senior member of the royal family, and Harry said his father “stopped answering” his calls before the couple announced their retreat. of real duties.
Daniel Portley-Hanks did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.