**Liz Hurley Hits Back at 'Leak' Suggestions and Claims Phone was Bugged in High Court**

Elizabeth Hurley today faced intense questioning from Associated Newspapers' lawyers as she gave evidence in the ongoing privacy trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail.

The actress and model, 60, took to the witness box alongside her son Damian and fellow claimant Prince Harry, who was also present in court yesterday after giving his own evidence. Hurley's testimony was marked by emotional outbursts as she spoke about the impact of articles written about her private life.

At the centre of the trial are allegations that Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) engaged in unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking and tapping, when publishing 15 articles between 2002 and 2011. Hurley's case claims that these acts resulted in a "brutal invasion of privacy" and left her feeling "crushed".

In her written witness statement, Hurley alleged that the Daily Mail had tapped her landline, recorded live telephone conversations, and placed microphones on her home windows.

Under questioning from Antony White KC, representing ANL, Hurley hit back at suggestions of "leaks" among her friends. White suggested that Hurley's friends may have been responsible for leaking stories about her private life to the media. However, Hurley countered: "Yes, there were leaks, but they were not from my friends." She further claimed that her rooms and landlines had been bugged, adding: "I believe people were listening to me speak."

When asked why she did not complain about the articles at the time of their publication, Hurley explained: "I always thought complaints were for libel. I didn't think they were necessary...because the stories were in essence true." However, she went on to say that this was due to her phone being bugged, allowing others to listen to her conversations.

During her testimony, Hurley became tearful as she spoke about the impact of these articles on her son, Damian. She said: "I felt really mortified that my son would be able to read all this stuff one day...and I feel really bad that that day is today when all this stuff is being regurgitated again."

Hurley also denied suggestions that she was involved with the press reform group Hacked Off, of which her ex-boyfriend Hugh Grant is a key figure. She stated: "I have donated £350,000 damages awarded to me after a settlement with Mirror Group Newspapers, but I am not involved with Hacked Off."

At the end of her evidence, Hurley expressed her discomfort at having to give testimony in court. She said: "I don't really want to be here...find it intimidating. Find it quite traumatic." As she began to become emotional, she added: "I find it very painful."

The trial is expected to last around nine weeks, with a decision on the claims due at a later date.