Prince Harry has secured a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper group, News Group Newspapers . The publisher has admitted to unlawful actions at its tabloid, The Sun, and agreed to a substantial damages payment. Harry had accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011 and intruding into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana.
The settlement, reported to be over £10 million, primarily covers legal fees. NGN issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life, acknowledging the actions of private investigators employed by the newspaper. This marks the first time NGN has admitted to unlawful activity at The Sun.
This legal action is part of a series of lawsuits Prince Harry has pursued against British media. He has previously settled claims with Mirror Group Newspapers and has a pending action against the publisher of the Daily Mail. The settlement with NGN is seen as a significant victory, with Harry planning to pressure politicians and police to revisit the phone-hacking scandal.
The phone-hacking scandal, which emerged in 2006, led to arrests and the closure of News of the World in 2011. NGN has settled claims from over 1,300 people, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion. The company aims to finalize all disputes without trial, continuing its longstanding commitment to settle justified claims.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of privacy invasion and unethical practices within the British tabloid press. The settlements and apologies from media organizations may signal a shift towards greater accountability and respect for individual privacy rights in the industry.
