Legal Battles: Allegations Against Associated Newspapers and Scuba School Tragedy

A high-profile legal case involving Prince Harry and other claimants against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) has brought to light serious allegations of unlawful activities within the media organization. Graham Johnson, a researcher with a history of phone hacking, testified in court that he paid over £100,000 to various individuals, including private investigators and ex-journalists, to gather information regarding ANL's alleged unlawful practices. Johnson clarified that while he compensated these individuals, he did not pay for witness testimony directly. The funding primarily came from Max Mosley, a late privacy campaigner, and Evan Harris, a former Liberal Democrat MP.

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The claimants, which include notable figures such as Doreen Lawrence and Sir Elton John, accuse ANL of engaging in activities such as phone hacking and bugging. ANL has categorically denied these allegations, labeling them as “preposterous” and asserting that all articles were produced through legitimate reporting methods. Johnson's testimony included payments made to individuals like Gavin Burrows, who has made serious claims against ANL, and other convicted phone hackers. ANL's legal team has argued that the claims against them are based on unreliable information and lack proper admissible evidence.

Researcher paid people for testimony about Daily Mail, high court told

In a separate legal matter, the parents of 12-year-old Dylan Harrison have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against The Scuba Ranch and Scubatoys following their daughter's tragic drowning during a diving class. The lawsuit alleges that the owner of Scubatoys, Joseph Johnson, made shocking claims to instructors that the business could sustain the deaths of two students per year without repercussions. This claim was reportedly made in a 2017 video where Johnson appeared unconcerned about the potential for fatalities.

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Dylan Harrison, who was pursuing her National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Open Water diving certification, drowned during a lesson on August 16, 2025. The lawsuit details how her instructor, Bill Armstrong, and divemaster Jonathan Roussel failed to adequately supervise her, leading to a disorganized search for the girl after she went missing. Emergency responders found her unresponsive approximately 30 minutes after she was last seen, raising questions about the safety protocols in place at the facility.

Scuba school told instructors they were allowed to KILL two students a year, shocking lawsuit from family of girl, 12, who died there alleges

In response to the allegations, ANL's legal representative, Antony White, suggested that Johnson's payments to individuals were part of a strategy to gather evidence against the publisher. Johnson, however, maintained that the payments were for journalistic purposes and not for witness testimony. Meanwhile, The Scuba Ranch expressed its sorrow over Harrison's death and announced the suspension of Armstrong following the incident. Scubatoys has since closed its operations, citing the lawsuit's impact.

Scuba school told instructors they were allowed to KILL two students a year, shocking lawsuit from family of girl, 12, who died there alleges

Critics of ANL's practices argue that the allegations reflect a broader issue of media accountability and the need for transparency in journalistic practices. In the scuba incident, the parents of Dylan Harrison have highlighted systemic failures in safety protocols and instructor accountability, calling for justice and reform in diving education.

Scuba school told instructors they were allowed to KILL two students a year, shocking lawsuit from family of girl, 12, who died there alleges

Both cases are ongoing, with the high-profile lawsuit against ANL continuing to unfold in court, while the Harrison family seeks a jury trial for damages related to their daughter's death. The outcomes of these cases may have significant implications for media practices and safety regulations in recreational activities.

Scuba school told instructors they were allowed to KILL two students a year, shocking lawsuit from family of girl, 12, who died there alleges