Prince Harry has secured a significant legal victory against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers , the publisher of The Sun. The publisher has admitted to unlawful actions, including phone hacking, and agreed to a substantial damages payment. This settlement marks the first time NGN has acknowledged such activities at The Sun. The damages are reported to be over £10 million, primarily covering legal fees. NGN has issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life, acknowledging the actions of private investigators employed by the newspaper.
The lawsuit, initiated by Prince Harry, accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011 and intruding into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana. The settlement is seen as a significant victory for Harry, who plans to pressure politicians and police to revisit the scandal. This case is one of three major lawsuits Harry has pursued against British media, including successful litigation against Mirror Group Newspapers and a pending action against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
The phone-hacking scandal, which emerged in 2006, led to arrests and the closure of News of the World in 2011. NGN has settled claims from over 1,300 people, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion. The company aims to finalize all disputes without trial, continuing its longstanding commitment to settle justified claims.
This legal victory is part of a broader effort by Prince Harry to hold media organizations accountable for unlawful activities. The settlement with NGN is expected to have significant implications for the media industry, particularly concerning the use of private information and the boundaries of journalistic practices.
As Prince Harry continues to advocate for greater accountability within the media, this case serves as a landmark in the ongoing discussion about privacy rights and the responsibilities of journalists. The outcome may influence future legal actions and policy decisions related to media conduct and the protection of individual privacy.
