Hugh Grant & Phone Hacking

Overview

Actor Hugh Grant was one of the first individuals to discover that journalists had hacked his mobile phone and accessed private information without consent. His case helped expose the scale of illegal information-gathering practices within parts of the British press.

Grant later gave evidence to the Leveson Inquiry, describing phone hacking, surveillance, and the failure of press self-regulation to protect victims or prevent abuse.

His experience was not treated as an isolated celebrity issue, but as evidence of systemic wrongdoing that affected many people — including those without public profiles or access to legal support.

From victim to campaigner

Following his own experience of press abuse, Hugh Grant became actively involved in efforts to improve press standards and accountability. He later joined the board of Hacked Off, contributing his time and experience to support wider reform.

His involvement reflects a broader pattern seen across press reform: individuals directly affected by media wrongdoing often go on to advocate for change — not for themselves, but to help protect others from similar harm.

Key facts

• Hugh Grant discovered that journalists had unlawfully accessed his voicemail and private information.
• His case formed part of the wider phone hacking scandal involving the News of the World and other newspapers.
• Grant gave evidence to the Leveson Inquiry, highlighting how press self-regulation failed to prevent illegal practices.
• He has consistently argued that the systems that failed him also fail other members of the public.
• Like most people with a profile who speak out against press misconduct, Grant was subsequently attacked in the press and subject to further intrusion in an attempt to silence him. This was unsuccessful, and Grant has gone on to campaign on the issue regardless of the consequences for himself.
• Victims of press abuse can play a vital role in strengthening accountability and supporting a fairer media system for everyone.

Further reading

• Hacked Off and Hugh Grant statement [May 2018]: Demand #Leveson2NOW
• Statement by Hugh Grant [February 2018]: Following the Hugh Grant–Mirror Group joint statement in open court
  
• The Mail and Hugh Grant [November 2011]: Flagrant intimidation
• Systemic context from the hacking trials [March 2014]: Brooks knew of potential phone hacking victims in 2006, Old Bailey hears

Significance of this story

Hugh Grant’s case demonstrates how the press will target and attack anyone with the courage to hold them to account.

The unlawful practices exposed in his case were not confined to well known figures— they were part of a broader culture that harmed journalists, victims of crime, bereaved families and others alike.

‍