Prince Harry has achieved a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers , the publisher of The Sun. The settlement, which includes a substantial damages payment and an apology for unlawful actions, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over privacy and press ethics.
The lawsuit, initiated by Prince Harry, accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011. This included allegations of phone hacking and other unlawful activities. The publisher's apology pertains to actions carried out by private investigators, not journalists, and acknowledges the serious intrusion into Harry's private life. The settlement is reported to be over £10 million, primarily covering legal fees.
This case is part of a broader series of legal actions taken by Prince Harry against British media organisations. He has previously pursued successful litigation against Mirror Group Newspapers and has a pending case against the publisher of the Daily Mail. These actions highlight the ongoing concerns regarding privacy violations and unethical practices within the press.
The settlement with NGN is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time the publisher has admitted to unlawful activities at The Sun. This admission is seen as a significant development in the long-running phone-hacking scandal that has plagued the British press for over a decade. The scandal first emerged in 2006, leading to arrests and the eventual closure of News of the World in 2011.
In response to the settlement, Prince Harry's legal team hailed the deal as a monumental victory. They plan to use this momentum to pressure politicians and law enforcement agencies to revisit the phone-hacking scandal and hold those responsible accountable. The case has also sparked renewed discussions about the need for press regulation and the protection of individual privacy rights in the digital age.
