Prince Harry settles his latest legal case after last minute move
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Prince Harry has settled his legal action against the publisher of The Sun over allegations of unlawful information-gathering in a last minute move before the start of a weeks-long trial.. The Duke of Sussex alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN), which also published the now-defunct News Of The World.
An up to 10-week trial was set to begin at the High Court in London on Tuesday but three requests for adjournments and a Court of Appeal bid meant that the case remained unopened. This morning, Harry’s barrister David Sherborne said that the parties had "reached an agreement" and that NGN had offered an apology to the duke and would pay "substantial damages". Lord Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader, was also taking legal action against the publisher, but also settled his claim.
Mr Sherbourne said: "I am pleased to announce to the court that the parties have reached an agreement. As a result of the parties reaching an agreement I would ask formally that the trial is vacated." He continued: "NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.
"NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News Of The World. NGN further apologises to the duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.
