What is the status of the Duke of Sussex’s legal claims?
Share:
The Duke of Sussex settled his legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN) on Wednesday. NGN offered 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.
It was one of three legal cases involving Harry ongoing in the English courts. What happened today?. – Allegations of unlawful information-gathering at NGN. Harry, 40, 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. On Wednesday 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, who was also taking legal action against the publisher, settled his claim as well. Lord Watson was also offered a “full and unequivocal apology” by NGN “for the unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in Government by the News of the World during the period 2009-2011”.
This included Lord Watson being placed under surveillance in 2009 by News of the World journalists and people instructed by them. Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases against NGN, with 39 people settling claims between July and December last year.
