The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has achieved a “monumental victory” after his legal battle against News Group Newspapers (NGN) over illegal practices, including phone hacking and private investigators activities, has come to an end. The settlement, worth over £10 million, was announced just before the five-year case was due to go to trial.
NGN, the publisher of The Sun, made a “full and unequivocal apology” for the “serious intrusion” by The Sun and for phone hacking by private investigators working for the News of the World. The company also apologized for the misuse of private information and the extensive coverage of Prince Harry’s private life, as well as the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana.
The settlement is seen as a victory for Prince Harry, who has been vocal in his pursuit of “truth and accountability” since he started his legal action. His lawyer, David Sherborne, described the case as a “vindication for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling” with the company.
Sherborne also called for a police and parliamentary investigation into “not only the unlawful activity now finally admitted, but the perjury and cover-ups along the way.” He stated that many of those behind the unlawful practices remain in senior positions in the media industry today, and that the truth is now out, and “no one stands above the law.”
Lord Watson, a former deputy Labour leader, also settled his claim against NGN and made a statement outside court, saying that the settlement was a “landmark” and the first time that unlawful activities at The Sun had been admitted. He praised Prince Harry for his bravery and courage in bringing the case and called on Rupert Murdoch to follow the company’s admission of guilt with a personal apology to Prince Harry, his father, and others who suffered similar unlawful behavior.
The settlement follows years of investigations and legal battles, during which the company has spent over £1 billion in payouts and legal costs to prevent the full picture from coming out. The Metropolitan Police have also been called to investigate the allegations of evidence destruction and perjury.