Prince Harry’s ongoing fight against tabloid practices in the UK has reached a pivotal moment, as his lawsuit against a major British publisher begins this week.
After years of legal disputes, the case finally heads to trial, shining a spotlight on allegations of unlawful information gathering by Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN).
Decade-Old Allegations
The Duke of Sussex alleges that private investigators working for NGN’s tabloids targeted him unlawfully over a decade ago.
This lawsuit follows a broader campaign by Harry to hold UK media accountable, including a victory in a phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in 2023.
However, in this instance, claims of phone hacking are excluded due to a judge’s ruling that the statute of limitations has expired.
A Shared Fight for Justice
Harry isn’t the only one taking on NGN. Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, now a member of the House of Lords, is also a claimant in the case.
Watson alleges his phone was hacked between 2009 and 2011 while investigating Murdoch’s tabloids as part of a parliamentary committee.
Both Watson and Harry accuse NGN of employing illegal methods to produce stories and of covering up these actions by deleting incriminating emails.
NGN’s Defense and the Trial Ahead
NGN has denied all allegations, dismissing claims of a cover-up as “unsustainable.”
The trial, expected to last up to 10 weeks, will feature testimony from NGN’s technologists, lawyers, and senior staff.
Harry himself is scheduled to take the stand, marking another significant moment in his battle against unethical press practices.
A History of Loss and Resolve
Harry’s battle with the media is deeply personal.
The prince has long blamed relentless press attention for his mother Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997.
His legal actions are part of a broader effort to hold powerful media organizations accountable, an issue he addressed in his memoir Spare.
He described Rupert Murdoch as “evil” and accused him of causing widespread harm to public trust and reality itself.
High Stakes and Broader Implications
This case is unusual, as NGN has often avoided trials by settling with claimants.
The company has reportedly paid around £1 billion in settlements and legal costs to over 1,300 claimants, including high-profile figures like Prince William and actor Hugh Grant.
However, Harry seems determined not to settle, signaling a fight not just for compensation but for systemic accountability.
Seeking Accountability
Harry has been vocal about his ultimate goal: accountability.
At a recent event, he emphasized that his legal battles are about exposing unethical practices and forcing the media to take responsibility.
This trial represents another chapter in his effort to challenge the UK tabloid culture and protect future generations from similar invasions of privacy.
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