Prince Harry holds British media accountable for invasion of privacy

Prince Harry holds British media accountable for invasion of privacy



LONDON: Prince Harry expressed his determination to hold the British media accountable for their actions as he accepted costs and damages from a tabloid publisher that invaded his privacy through phone hacking and other illegal practices. Mirror Group Newspapers has agreed to cover all of Harry’s legal expenses and provide substantial damages. In a statement read by his lawyer outside the High Court in London, Harry stated that the truth about the Mirror’s dishonesty had been exposed and vowed to continue his mission.
In a previous ruling in December, Harry was awarded damages of £140,000 after it was revealed that phone hacking at Mirror Group Newspapers was widespread and executives had attempted to cover it up.This settlement prevents additional trials relating to 115 more tabloid articles that Harry claims were the result of hacking or other intrusions.
Mirror Group expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating that it provides clarity and allows them to move forward from events that occurred many years ago. This case against the Daily Mirror is one of several legal actions that Harry has taken against the British media, which he holds responsible for the difficulties he and his family have faced. Harry’s ongoing cases against the publishers of The Sun and the Daily Mail are still underway.
During the court trial in June, Harry became the first senior member of the royal family in over a century to testify. However, he was not present for the recent ruling as he had returned to the United States after visiting his father, who is battling cancer.
In addition to the legal costs incurred by Harry’s case, Mirror Group has been ordered by the judge to pay some of the legal expenses for three other claimants whose cases were heard alongside Harry’s.
The judge emphasized that all claimants have been vindicated by the court’s findings regarding the publisher’s misconduct. He also noted that the company’s attempts to conceal the truth have increased the legal costs. While the privacy of all four claimants was found to have been violated, cases brought by actor Nikki Sanderson and Fiona Wightman were dismissed due to being filed too late. A claim by actor Michael Turner partially succeeded.
The issue of phone hacking by British newspapers dates back more than two decades when journalists routinely hacked into the voicemails of royals, celebrities, politicians, and sports stars. The scandal reached its peak in 2011 when it was revealed that News of the World had intercepted messages of a murdered girl, grieving families, and victims of a bombing. Mirror Group Newspapers has paid over £100 million in phone hacking lawsuits over the years but denies any wrongdoing in Harry’s case, claiming that they used legitimate reporting methods.
Harry also criticized former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan, who denies knowledge of phone hacking during his time at the paper. Harry stated that Morgan was fully aware of the situation and his disregard for the court’s ruling further highlights the importance of obtaining a clear and detailed judgment.





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