Prince Harry has settled a legal action against the publisher of the Sun over allegations of unlawful information-gathering shortly before the start of a trial.
The Duke of Sussex (40) alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN), which also published the now-defunct News Of The World. NGN has denied unlawful activity took place at the Sun.
David Sherborne, the prince’s lawyer, said a deal had been struck with NGN agreeing to pay significant damages and admitting his client had been the victim of unlawful activity by the Sun and had suffered phone-hacking at the hands of the News of the World.
Tom Watson, a former Labour Party deputy leader, who was taking legal action against the publisher, has also settled his claim.
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The trial related to Prince Harry’s claims, which was expected to run for up to 10-weeks, was set to begin at the High Court in London on Tuesday, but there were requests for adjournments, meaning the case remained unopened.
After two earlier requests for adjournments on Tuesday, thought to be related to settlement discussions, Mr Justice Fancourt refused a third request for a delay as both sides had been given “ample time to seek to resolve their differences”.
Following a short break, lawyers for both sides asked for the green light to challenge the judge’s decision to not provide a further delay at the Court of Appeal. While Mr Justice Fancourt denied the request, the lawyers could go to the Court of Appeal itself, meaning Tuesday’s hearing was adjourned in any event.
Several other high-profile figures have settled their cases against NGN, with 39 people doing so between July and December last year.
In April, the High Court heard that actor Hugh Grant had settled his case against NGN because of the risk of a £10 million legal bill if the matter went to trial.
Mr Sherborne said at that hearing that “the Duke of Sussex is subject to the same issues that Sienna Miller and Hugh Grant have been subject to, which is that the offers are made that make it impossible for them to go ahead”. – PA/Reuters