AN ex-Daily Mail crime editor was “completely devastated” by illegal news-gathering claims made by Stephen Lawrence’s mum.
Stephen Wright told the High Court he was proud Lady Lawrence considered him a professional ally as he backed her campaign to nail her son’s 1993 killers.
But she has since claimed five Mail stories between 1997 and 2007 relied on details stolen from her.
She is suing Associated Newspapers.
It denies wrongdoing.
Mr Wright said he had “lived under a cloud” since the legal action was filed.
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He said: “I was completely devastated. I struggle to understand how she could be persuaded to take such action. She was someone for whom I had the utmost respect.”
The baroness has told the court she felt “played”.
Mr Wright said he was shocked at how she described him in legal documents.
The journalist, whose wife is of colour, added: “The suggestion I didn’t have true motives as a race campaigner was immensely hurtful.”
And he feared reprisals when she cast him “on the side of the racist”.
The trial continues.