Is Your Private Investigator Ethical? Lessons from the Jonathan Rees Court Case

The investigative industry is currently under the microscope as a landmark trial at the High Court in London reveals the "dark arts" once utilised by rogue operators. As reported by the Herald Series, the court has heard explosive testimony regarding Jonathan Rees and his now-defunct firm, Southern Investigations.

Allegations brought forward include phone tapping, police bribery, and a disturbing claim that Rees once boasted to an undercover operative, "We can get the Queen’s medical records."

For anyone seeking professional intelligence today, this case is more than a historical curiosity—it is a warning. It raises a fundamental question: Is your private investigator operating within the law, or are they a liability waiting to happen?

1. The Rogue "Boast" vs. Legal Reality

The Rees case describes a culture where private information was viewed as a commodity to be harvested by any means necessary. However, the legal landscape in 2026 is vastly different from the era of Southern Investigations.

Under the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, "blagging" (obtaining info by deception) or hacking into medical and financial records are serious criminal offences. If you hire an investigator who uses these rogue tactics, the consequences are severe:

• Your Case is Compromised: Evidence obtained illegally is inadmissible in court, rendering the entire investigation useless for legal proceedings.
• You Are Liable: Clients can be held legally responsible for the illicit methods used by the firms they commission, potentially leading to criminal investigations into the hiring party.
• Reputational Blowback: Being linked to a breach of privacy, especially involving a public figure or sensitive data, can cause irreparable damage to your professional and personal standing.

2. How to Spot an Ethical Investigator: The Professional Checklist

The High Court trial proves that you must vet your investigators as thoroughly as you vet your legal counsel. At Conflict International, we represent the modern, professionalised tier of the industry. Here is how to distinguish an ethical partner from a rogue operator:

I. Accreditations & Oversight

• The Rogue Sign: Operates as a "lone wolf" with no professional affiliations or oversight.
• The Conflict Standard: We are Globally Accredited, with proud memberships in the Association of British Investigators (ABI)—the only body endorsed by the Law Society—and the World Association of Detectives (WAD).

II. Methodology & Transparency

• The Rogue Sign: Cannot or will not explain how they obtain their information; relies on "special access" or "favours."
• The Conflict Standard: We maintain Full Transparency, providing a clear, documented paper trail. We utilise legal avenues such as OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), legal surveillance, and forensic accounting.

III. Legal Data Handling

• The Rogue Sign: Boasts of being able to "get" protected medical, tax, or police records through deceptive means.
• The Conflict Standard: We maintain Data Integrity. We are fully registered with the ICO and strictly compliant with UK GDPR, ensuring your data—and the target's—is handled according to the letter of the law.

IV. Quality of Evidence

• The Rogue Sign: Results are often "toxic" and cannot be used in formal legal settings for fear of exposure.
• The Conflict Standard: We deliver Admissible Evidence. Our work is forensic, rigorous, and designed to stand up to the intense scrutiny of a High Court judge or regulatory body..

3. The Conflict International Commitment

At Conflict International, we believe that the truth is only powerful if it is obtained with integrity. We don’t rely on "bribes" or illegal hacks; our results come from the hard work of former law enforcement professionals and elite intelligence analysts.

We protect our clients by ensuring that every action we take is:

1. Lawful: Adhering strictly to the highest legal standards and data protection laws.
2. Ethical: Respecting the boundaries of privacy and human rights at every stage.
3. Admissible: Providing evidence that stands up to the rigorous scrutiny of a High Court judge.

Choosing the Standard of Excellence

The claims that an investigator once boasted about accessing the Queen’s medical records belong to a lawless past. In today’s world, the most powerful tool in an investigator's arsenal is not a shortcut, but a commitment to the law.

Conflict International stands as a barrier against rogue tactics, proving that you can achieve world-class results while upholding the highest ethical standards.

Do you require an investigative partner you can trust with your reputation? Explore our Legal and Ethical Private Investigation Services or contact us today for a confidential consultation.