Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers apologises to Prince Harry in “monumental victory” in landmark privacy case

 Breaking news on Prince Harry’s Trial

News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun and the defunct News of the World newspaper, has today made a “full and unequivocal” apology to Prince Harry and Lord Tom Watson as the parties settled their claims in court today.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and former deputy Labour leader Tom Watson were suing NGN for the alleged use of illegal methods, including the use of private investigators and voicemail interception to obtain their private information. The trial was due to take place for an estimated 8 weeks, but proceedings were delayed on the opening day after lawyers for both sides requested adjournments for last minute settlement discussions to take place.

In the High Court this morning, David Sherborne, acting for the Duke of Sussex and Lord Watson announced that the parties had reached an agreement in which News Group Newspapers provided a shock apology to both claimants together with the payment of “substantial damages”. The apology, set out in full below, represents the first time the Murdoch organisation admitted that “unlawful activities” were carried out on behalf of The Sun newspaper. On the steps of court, Mr Sherborne announced this is a “monumental victory” that represents “vindication” for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling their claims against the publisher.

NGN’s apology to Prince Harry and Lord Tom Watson

 “NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.

 NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World.

 NGN further apologises to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.

Further apology to Prince Harry

 We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages. It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN’s response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable.

Apology to Lord Watson

 NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to Lord Watson for the unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in Government by the News of the World during the period 2009- 2011.

 This includes him being placed under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News of the World and those instructed by them. NGN also acknowledges and apologises for the adverse impact this had on Lord Watson’s family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.

 In addition, in 2011 News International received information that information was being passed covertly to Lord Watson from within News International. We now understand that this information was false, and Lord Watson was not in receipt of any such confidential information. NGN apologises fully and unequivocally for this.”

 Prince Harry has previously been vocal in his determination to take NGN to trial for the alleged wrongdoing, in order to publicly hold the Murdoch-owned group to account.

History of the phone hacking litigation against NGN

It is estimated that NGN have settled over 1,300 claims for phone hacking and unlawful information gathering against NGN out of court. The trial due to begin this week was the first time the allegations against the newspaper group were to be heard in court.

Notably, the actor Hugh Grant settled his own privacy case against NGN last year, alleging that journalists had used private investigators to monitor his phone and burgle his house. NGN denied the allegations against it. In accepting the settlement, Grant explained that he “did not want to accept” NGN’s offer but continuing to fight the case risked making him liable for substantial legal costs even if he won in Court.

For more information about Taylor Hampton’s Media Practice

Taylor Hampton has been involved in the phone hacking trial litigation since its inception and has represented numerous Claimants in their claims against NGN and other publishers. Cases in which the firm was involved led to the closure of the News of the World. For more information about Taylor Hampton’s media practice, see here or contact +44207 427 5970 or [email protected].

 

 

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