Prince Harry has secured a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper group, News Group Newspapers , which publishes The Sun. The publisher has admitted to unlawful actions and agreed to a substantial damages payment, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over privacy and press conduct.
The lawsuit, initiated by Prince Harry, accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011. The publisher's admission of unlawful activity at The Sun is the first of its kind, acknowledging the intrusion into the private life of the Duke of Sussex.
The settlement, reportedly over £10 million, primarily covers legal fees and includes an apology from NGN for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life. This development is seen as a victory for Prince Harry, who has been actively seeking accountability for unlawful practices within the media industry.
This case is part of a broader series of legal actions taken by Prince Harry against British media outlets. He has previously pursued successful litigation against Mirror Group Newspapers and has a pending action against the publisher of the Daily Mail. These efforts underscore his commitment to challenging media practices that infringe upon personal privacy.
The settlement with NGN may signal the conclusion of similar lawsuits against the publisher, which has faced significant financial repercussions from prior claims involving phone hacking and other illegal information-gathering activities. While NGN admitted wrongdoing at The Sun, it maintained that there was no senior-level cover-up.
This legal victory is a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding press ethics and the protection of individual privacy rights. It highlights the need for continued vigilance and reform within the media industry to prevent such intrusions in the future.
