Prince Harry has reached a settlement with News Group Newspapers (NGN), the British company responsible for The Sun.
This pact brings to an end a protracted six-year legal battle, during which the Duke of Sussex accused the company of illegal practices such as wiretapping and misuse of personal information.
Prince Harry lawsuit comes to an end
The resolution of the case was made public this January 22 at the High Court in London, where a statement was read out on behalf of NGN.
In it, the company admitted to using unlawful methods between 1996 and 2011 and offered public apologies to the prince.
In addition, the company undertook to pay compensation for “substantial damages,” although the exact figure has not been disclosed.
Years of legal conflict
The confrontation between Harry and NGN began more than six years ago, when the prince denounced the company for invading his privacy through illegal tactics.
Among the evidence presented, Harry argued that journalists and private investigators hired by NGN improperly accessed personal information.
Throughout the process, the Duke remained steadfast, even when other celebrities involved, such as Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, decided to settle their claims earlier.
With this settlement, Harry concludes a judicial chapter that had left him virtually alone in his fight against the media giant.
A trial that never happened
As we had previously reported on RoyalFamily.News, the trial, which was scheduled to stretch over ten weeks, was supposed to have begun this week.
However, delays and Harry’s absence in London raised suspicions that behind-the-scenes negotiations were taking place.
Confirmation came, when Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, announced that the parties had reached an agreement.
“In a monumental victory today, News UK have admitted that The Sun, the flagship title for Rupert Murdoch’s UK media empire, has indeed engaged in illegal practices. This represents a vindication for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling, without being able to get to the truth of what was done to them.” Sherborne said.
Other claimants also close their cases
Harry was not alone in settling his dispute. Lord Tom Watson, former deputy leader of the Labour Party and the only other claimant still pursuing the case, also settled with NGN in the last few hours.
News Group Newspaper’s apology
“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.
We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages. It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN’s response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable.
NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to Lord Watson 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 includes him being placed under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News of the World and those instructed by them. NGN also acknowledges and apologises for the adverse impact this had on Lord Watson’s family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.
In addition, in 2011 News International received information that information was being passed covertly to Lord Watson from within News International. We now understand that this information was false, and Lord Watson was not in receipt of any such confidential information. NGN apologises fully and unequivocally for this.”