Prince Harry says Sun publisher made ‘historic admission’ as he settles case
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News Group Newspapers offered Harry ‘full and unequivocal apology’ for ‘serious intrusion’ by the paper. The Duke of Sussex has claimed a “monumental victory” after a “historic admission” that the Sun engaged in “illegal practices”, as he settled his marathon case against the newspaper’s publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), for reported damages of £10m.
![[David Sherborne delivering a statement outside the high court.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/51290e183e7b99815e09e17391c1940f03744b7e/0_92_4735_2841/master/4735.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
NGN offered Harry a “full and unequivocal apology” for “serious intrusion” by the Sun and for phone hacking by private investigators working for the News of the World. The settlement was announced as his five-year legal action over unlawful information-gathering by NGN was due to open at trial in London’s high court. Tom Watson, the former deputy Labour leader, also settled his claim against the publishers.
![[Lord Watson speaking outside the high court.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/38a0208532b3430431f73de1ab2e5038d92b9b10/0_119_5704_3422/master/5704.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The two are now calling for a police and parliamentary investigation into “not only the unlawful activity now finally admitted, but the perjury and cover-ups along the way”, their legal counsel, David Sherborne, said in a statement outside court. “Today the lies are laid bare. Today, the cover-ups are exposed. And today proves that no one stands above the law. The time for accountability has arrived,” Sherborne said.
Harry will receive undisclosed damages reportedly in excess of £10m. He alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for the Sun as well as the now-defunct News of the World, and that executives destroyed evidence in 2011 to prevent the police investigating.
