Prince Harry vs News Group Newspapers: Court Case Explained
Prince Harry’s legal battle against News Group Newspapers (NGN) is set to commence today at the High Court. This lawsuit, separate from his previous phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers, involves allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists. NGN, the publisher of The Sun newspaper, has consistently refuted any wrongdoing.
Who is Involved?
Prince Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Watson are the main claimants pursuing legal action against NGN. Their case follows the settlement of 39 other claims last year, including celebrities like Hugh Grant, Sienna Miller, and Paul Gascoigne. Notably, Harry expressed his determination to pursue justice due to others being compelled to settle.
Who are News Group Newspapers?
NGN, a subsidiary of News UK owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, publishes The Sun and previously News of the World. While NGN has apologized for phone hacking by News of the World journalists, it denies any misconduct at The Sun. The upcoming trial will scrutinize specific allegations against The Sun, led by Rebekah Brooks, the current chief of News UK.
What are the Allegations?
Prince Harry alleges that NGN journalists and private investigators unlawfully targeted him. The court will assess if any articles published by NGN resulted from illicit information gathering methods. Notably, Harry’s claims exclude phone hacking allegations following court rulings to restrict new allegations and accusations against Rupert Murdoch and senior royals.
What will Happen in Court?
The trial at the High Court is projected to last eight to ten weeks and will evaluate the claims made by Harry and Lord Watson. It will also address general accusations of misconduct by NGN staff. Harry might testify and face cross-examination, with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown expected to testify as a witness.
NGN remains steadfast in its denial of any illegal activity and pledges to vigorously defend against the claims asserted by Prince Harry. They maintain that Lord Watson was never a hacking target and refute allegations of email destruction.
This legal battle marks a pivotal moment in Prince Harry’s fight for accountability and justice against intrusive media practices. As the case unfolds, the public awaits the High Court’s verdict on the allegations of unlawful information gathering by News Group Newspapers.
