Prince Harry Accuses CEO of Washington Post of Covering Up Illegality at UK Tabloid The Sun
Prince Harry reportedly claims that Will Lewis, the CEO of the Washington Post, was involved in a cover-up of illegality at the UK tabloid The Sun, along with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks. According to Harry’s legal team, Lewis masterminded the cover-up, which included the bugging of cars and phones to get stories on Harry and his co-plaintiff, former lawmaker Tom Watson.
The allegations will be filed in court and claim that Lewis and others at the Daily Mail’s publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), engaged in a “widespread and habitual” practice of illegal behavior, including hacking and phone tapping. The claim also states that 30 million emails were deleted to cover up the allegations.
Lewis has denied the allegations, saying that they are “untrue.” However, Harry and his legal team aim to prove that Lewis was involved in the cover-up, which they claim has led to the “deliberate cover-up and concealment of incriminating evidence by Senior Executives.”
The allegations have been made as part of a nine-week trial, but reports suggest that NGN has made a “massive offer” to settle the case and the legal teams have joined forces to delay the trial. If the case goes to trial, Harry risks being lumped with vast legal costs if he is awarded less than the settlement offer.
The case is seen as a test of the UK’s civil litigation rules, which can leave plaintiffs with significant legal costs if they fail to secure the maximum damages award. Harry has expressed his determination to see the trial through, despite the financial risks, stating that one of the main reasons for doing so is to achieve accountability.