Trial of Duke of Sussex’s legal claim against Sun publisher to begin on Tuesday
Share:
The trial of the Duke of Sussex’s legal claim against the publisher of The Sun is set to begin in London on Tuesday. Harry, 40, is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) over allegations of unlawful information gathering, claiming that its journalists and private investigators targeted him.
The former Labour deputy leader, Lord Tom Watson, is also taking legal action against the publisher, which ran the now-defunct News Of The World as well as The Sun. The trial before Mr Justice Fancourt, which has twice been adjourned since the duke began the legal action in 2019, is due to last 10 weeks, with Harry expected to give evidence over several days.
NGN has previously denied any unlawful activity took place at The Sun. The judge has previously described the court battle as resembling a campaign between “two obdurate but well-resourced armies” that is taking up “more than an appropriate” amount of court time.
Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases against NGN, with 39 people settling claims between July and December last year. In April last year, actor Hugh Grant settled his legal claim after being advised he risked being liable for £10 million in legal costs if his case proceeded to a trial.
Others who have settled cases include: actress Sienna Miller; ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne; comic Catherine Tate; radio presenter Chris Moyles; Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm; former Boyzone member Shane Lynch and actor Mathew Horne. Speaking at The New York Times Dealbook Summit in December, the duke said he sought “truth and accountability” through legal action.
