✕CloseThe Duke of Sussex went to the High Court for the start of the case
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A ruling is due on Friday over hacking claims brought by the Duke of Sussex and others against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).
Prince Harry sued the publisher for damages over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
He claimed journalists at its titles – the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People – were linked to methods including phone-hacking, so-called “blagging” or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.
Harry alleges 147 stories from 1996 to 2010, published by MGN titles, used information obtained through unlawful means.
At the start of the trial, seven months ago, the High Court was told the publisher of the Daily Mirror newspaper has apologised “unreservedly” to Prince Harry for unlawfully gathering information about him.
The court heard the “systemic” use of private investigators by journalists to unlawfully obtain information was authorised by senior editors including Piers Morgan.
The prince’s lawyer said MGN’s failure to call Mr Morgan to give evidence left “fatal holes” in the defence case.
Mr Morgan denied any wrongdoing.
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Prince answered questions for eight hours
Harry faced eight hours of questioning over two days during a witness box appearance that drew the attention of the world’s media.
It was thought to be the first time a senior member of the royal family has personally appeared in court proceedings since 2002, when the Princess Royal pleaded guilty to a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act after her pet bit two children in Windsor Great Park.
His appearance came just over a month after he attended the coronation of his father the King.
Jane Dalton14 December 2023 23:501702591559
Coronation Street star ‘furious’ at phone hacking
One of those who sued Mirror Group Newspapers alongside the prince is Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell, who told the High Court it made him “furious” to think journalists were hacking into his voicemails when he was accused of sexual offences, of which he was later cleared:
Soap star Michael Le Vell says thought of voicemail hacking made him ‘furious’
The 58-year-old, who plays Kevin Webster in the long-running soap, is suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering.
Jane Dalton14 December 2023 22:051702590001
‘No evidence’ for many hacking claims, says publisher
When the case opened back in May, a lawyer for Mirror Group Newspapers argued that a “very substantial proportion” of the articles involved in the case were at “a breathtaking level of triviality”:
‘Simply no evidence’ for many Mirror phone hacking claims, Prince Harry trial told
Claims brought by four individuals, including the Duke of Sussex, against Mirror Group Newspapers were made with ‘no basis’, High Court hears
Jane Dalton14 December 2023 21:401702584091
Coronation Street star ‘furious’ at phone hacking
One of those who sued Mirror Group Newspapers alongside the prince is Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell, who told the High Court it made him “furious” to think journalists were hacking into his voicemails when he was accused of sexual offences, of which he was later cleared:
Soap star Michael Le Vell says thought of voicemail hacking made him ‘furious’
The 58-year-old, who plays Kevin Webster in the long-running soap, is suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering.
Jane Dalton14 December 2023 20:011702579007
Harry should win £320,000 payout, lawyers say
In a trial in June, the prince’s lawyers argued he should be awarded up to £320,000 in compensation over the alleged misuse of his private information.
Mirror Group Newspapers largely contested the claims that 147 stories from 1996 to 2010, published by MGN titles, used information obtained through unlawful means.
Prince Harry entitled to £320,000 from Mirror publisher in hacking trial, lawyers say
Duke of Sussex’s lawyers set out damages sought on final day of hacking trial
Jane Dalton14 December 2023 18:361702574318
Prince awaits judge’s ruling
The Duke of Sussex and other high-profile people are awaiting a judge’s ruling in their case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) on Friday.
Prince Harry, 39, sued the publisher for damages over allegations of unlawful information gathering, claiming journalists at its titles were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called “blagging” or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.
The seven-week high-profile High Court trial in London ended in June.
Mr Justice Fancourt is due to give his ruling at a hearing on tomorrow.
Sam Rkaina14 December 2023 17:18✕
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