Daily Mirror Apologises, Pays Damages To Dan Wootton For Privacy Breach

GB News host Dan Wootton. (Screengrab via GB News/Youtube)

The Daily Mirror issued an apology to former GB News presenter Dan Wootton for its reporting that he was subject to a police investigation in a breach of his privacy rights.

Wootton’s lawyers sent letters to various publications and individuals regarding their reporting on the matter in October. It’s believed that the letter cited 2022’s judgement Bloomberg versus ZXC Supreme Court, arguing that Wootton’s right to privacy was infringed upon by premature reports of the police investigation. The landmark court ruling underscored the privacy rights of individuals under investigation until charges are formally pressed.

The Mirror’s apology reads:

“An article headlined “Met Police launches probe into ‘Dan Wootton sex offences’ allegations” was published on our website on 2 October 2023 and removed later that day following a complaint from Dan Wootton. Last week, the Metropolitan police and Police Scotland said that they had concluded their investigations and are taking no further action. We accept that we were wrong to have published the article and apologise unreservedly to Mr Wootton for any upset the article may have caused. Mr Wootton has restated that the police inquiries have exonerated him of any criminal wrongdoing.”

Last month, both the Met Police and Police Scotland announced that they would not be taking any action against Wootton after investigating complaints made against him.

The Mirror publisher has reportedly made a significant payment to Wootton, joining The Guardian in compensating him. With these settlements in hand, Wootton continues to pursue his complaint against Byline Times, The National in Scotland, and individuals including broadcaster Carol Vorderman, journalist Emily Maitlis, and commentator Marina Purkiss.

Byline Times, however, said it has no intention of settling and is crowdfunding for a potential court showdown.

This development comes as Wootton announced his departure from GB News, following his suspension in September over guest Laurence Fox’s remarks made on his program. Ofcom upheld complaints against GB News.

Wootton has now launched his own media brand Dan Wootton Outspoken, featuring a paid-for newsletter on Substack and a YouTube show.