Sir Elton calls press intrusion into his health and child 'truly sickening'

Sir Elton John has said it was "truly sickening" to learn details of how the Daily Mail breached his privacy in relation to his health issues, and the birth of his son.

In a witness statement read to the High Court, Sir Elton described press intrusions when he was in hospital, saying the breaches were "outside even the most basic standards of human decency".

The musician and his husband David Furnish are among seven people, including Prince Harry, Elizabeth Hurley and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, suing the publisher of the newspaper and the Mail on Sunday for breaches of privacy.

Their publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), denies all allegations of unlawful information gathering.

The star gave evidence in person on Friday, appearing at the High Court via a video link in a green suit, blue shirt and tie.

In his statement, Sir Elton said he felt "passionately" about "how wrong it is that such gross invasions could have been inflicted upon us and our family and friends without us ever knowing".

He added in his written evidence: "I have found The Mail's deliberate invasion into my medical health and medical details surrounding the birth of our son Zachary abhorrent and outside even the most basic standards of human decency".

Sir Elton said that while he had devoted his life to music, "this does not mean deeply personal things which I have a right to deal with in private are fair game".

He described what he called the "exploitation of love, connection, trust and bonds to find out information shared in confidence".

While the "invisibility of such evil acts" meant he and Furnish were unable to detect them, Sir Elton said.

The couple's legal claim relates to 10 articles published between 2000 and 2015.

Addressing the High Court, he said he and Furnish took legal action against ANL because they were "outraged".

Asked by Catrin Evans KC, representing ANL, if it was true that the couple did not complain at the time the stories were published, Sir Elton said "I can't remember".

He added: "We did not know the extent of the seriousness of what had gone on. When we knew the seriousness of what had gone on, we took action, because we were outraged."

Furnish previously told the court that the couple had been "profoundly affected" by not knowing how many times they were targeted by the Daily Mail.

The court case continues.