Kieron Dyer settles claim against news publisher

Kieron Dyer was born in Ipswich and started his professional football career there in 1996

Former England footballer Kieron Dyer has settled a High Court claim against the publisher of the Daily Mirror over allegations of unlawful information gathering.

The 45-year-old sued Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in 2018, alleging journalists misused his private information between 1998 and 2011.

The former Ipswich Town and Newcastle United midfielder cited 63 articles in support of his claim, saying his relationships with the public, colleagues, family and friends had suffered due to "unlawful" news gathering.

Alex Pollock, for MGN, told a hearing on Wednesday that Dyer's private information "should not have been obtained and used in the manner it was".

Dyer spent eight years at Newcastle United, making 190 appearances and scoring 23 goals

Representing Dyer at the hearing, Rebekah Finch said an agreement was reached in April to settle the claim.

It would see the publisher pay damages and Dyer's legal costs, as well as providing "an undertaking" not to "illegally obtain his private information".

She said: "The claimant was significantly impacted by press intrusion at the time.

"The claimant recalled being followed, both by journalists and photographers, being door-stepped at his home and being approached on nights out on numerous occasions.

“The claimant was upset at the time that the articles were published containing his private information."

Dyer started his football career at Ipswich Town before later moves to Newcastle United, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough.

'Damage and distress'

Ms Finch said Dyer sometimes felt he lost the trust of those closest to him due to the news articles, claiming it had impacted his career.

"The claimant described the experience as horrible and he felt ridiculed and his mental health and reputation took an impact," she added.

Dyer gained 33 England caps during his career and recently worked as a coach at Ipswich Town.

Mr Pollock said MGN wanted to apologise for the "damage and distress caused to him".

He admitted it was caused by "the misuse of his private information over a decade ago".