Bryan Adams speculates police leaked 'stalking' story to Sun

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/feb/29/bryan-adams-police-sun-leveson

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Rock star Bryan Adams has told of his shock when a story about him being stalked appeared in the Sun, in evidence submitted to the Leveson inquiry.

The Canadian-born 52-year-old said he called police after being stalked by a woman and her son at his home in Chelsea, west London, more than three years ago.

He said a few days later the Sun carried a news story on the subject.

Adams told Lord Justice Leveson, in a written witness statement, he was very annoyed and speculated that police may have leaked the story.

"I was shocked to discover that news of the stalking was reported in the Sun. I had not consented to this information being made public and I was very annoyed that what I saw as a private issue was being reported without my knowledge or consent," the statement read.

Adams said he had not discussed the stalking with "anyone other than the police and my personal assistant".

"Although I have no proof, and therefore it is of course speculation, I do not believe that there could be any other explanation than the fact that the source must have been someone related to my call to the police," he added.

"I can see no public interest in this being reported. It was not even accurate – no panic alarm was installed at my house. I do not see why the fact that I am a well-known musician should justify anyone leaking this story. I would much prefer it not to be known that I was stalked at my home in Chelsea."

He added: "In my view it is no one else's business and could create the risk of copycat crime."

Adams said he was stalked for about a month in late 2008 and rang 999 after confronting the pair.

"On this occasion we rang 999," said Adams. "We have had no problems with any leaks to the press when we have rung the local police station."

Adams added: "If information of this sort is to be released, it should be done so for proper public interest reasons, not to satisfy a desire for gossip."