Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, secured a significant legal victory as the UK High Court ruled in his favor in a phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). The court awarded him £140,600 ($179,000) after determining that he was a victim of “extensive” phone hacking perpetrated by MGN between 2006 and 2011.
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The Unlawful Tactics Unveiled
Justice Fancourt’s ruling exposed MGN’s unlawful information-gathering methods, including hacking voicemail messages and using private investigators. Of the 33 articles submitted for consideration, 15 were deemed to have employed these illicit tactics.
A Landmark Legal Battle
Prince Harry, joined by three other claimants, took legal action against the British newspaper group responsible for publications such as The Daily Mirror, The Sunday Mirror, and Sunday People. The lawsuit alleged that MGN journalists intercepted voicemails and engaged in illicit practices over 15 years.
A Call for Accountability and a Free Press
Following the court’s decision, Prince Harry, in a statement by his lawyer David Sherborne, hailed the ruling as “a great day for truth, as well as accountability.” He called upon the financial regulator, Metropolitan Police, and prosecuting authorities to investigate and bring charges against MGN and those responsible for breaking the law.
Striving for a Free and Honest Press
The Duke of Sussex emphasized the importance of a “free and honest press” in Great Britain and globally. He asserted that anything to the contrary would “poison the well” of a profession society relies on. Despite acknowledging the challenges, Prince Harry expressed determination, stating, “The mission continues.”
Historic Testimony and Apology from MGN
During the legal proceedings, Prince Harry became the first senior member of the British royal family to testify in a witness box in over 130 years. MGN’s lawyer, Andrew Green, subjected him to detailed questioning, highlighting the distress caused by the media during his youth.
In response to the judgment, an MGN spokesperson welcomed the clarity it provided for the business to move forward. The spokesperson apologized unreservedly, took full responsibility, and pledged appropriate compensation for historical wrongdoing.
Beyond MGN: A Broader Legal Battle
This lawsuit is part of a series of legal actions Prince Harry has initiated against major UK newspaper publishers. The Duke has also taken on Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN) and Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail. NGN, notorious for the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, faced legal consequences leading to the shutdown of the publication in 2011.
In conclusion, Prince Harry’s triumph in the phone hacking lawsuit marks a pivotal moment in the fight for press integrity and individual privacy. It reinforces the need for accountability and transparency in media practices, setting a precedent for future legal battles in privacy and journalism.
