Prince Harry to find out rulings on hacking claims

On Friday morning, the Duke of Sussex will learn the outcome of a pivotal case in which he accuses Mirror Group Newspapers of unlawfully obtaining information. This marks a significant development in Prince Harry’s legal pursuit against alleged phone hacking to generate stories about him.

A High Court judge is set to deliver a verdict on 33 specific news stories that Prince Harry contends were acquired through illegal means. The Mirror Group’s legal representatives have categorically denied the accusations, dismissing them as “entirely speculative.”

In June, Prince Harry made history as the first senior royal in modern times to provide extensive in-person evidence in court, attracting substantial international media attention. Over two days, he detailed allegations that the group’s newspapers, including the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and People, had published numerous stories about him over several years, obtained through phone hacking and other illicit methods. The judge’s comprehensive ruling, expected to span over 100 detailed pages, will be released after 10:30.

Separate rulings are likely for each story, potentially resulting in mixed outcomes where the prince prevails on some and faces setbacks on others. Prince Harry emphasized in court that the breach of his privacy had negatively impacted his relationships, including that with ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, leading to “intrusion and hate.”

While seeking damages of £320,000 for the 33 stories in this civil case, Prince Harry’s broader goal has been to substantiate his allegations of phone hacking and other intrusive practices that he claims have caused significant disruption in his life.

The stakes are high for the Mirror newspapers, which have reportedly spent around £100 million on damages and legal costs in previous hacking cases. A spokesperson for Mirror Group Newspapers stated their commitment to defending against allegations of wrongdoing where journalists acted lawfully.

A favorable outcome for Prince Harry may potentially pave the way for other claimants contemplating similar actions. The judge’s findings could also raise challenging questions about the knowledge within the newspaper group’s hierarchy.

This legal battle is one of several Prince Harry is waging against newspaper groups, including Associated Newspapers and News Group Newspapers. While procedural legal skirmishes have characterized these cases, this ruling stands as the most significant so far, providing a judge’s decision following a full trial. The judge will also address allegations from three other claimants: Coronation Street actors Michael Le Vell (real name Michael Turner) and Nikki Sanderson, along with Fiona Wightman, the ex-wife of comedian Paul Whitehouse.