Prince Harryhas received an eight-figure sum in damages afterreaching a surprise settlementin hislegal battleagainst the publisher of U.K. newspaperThe Sun.
Speaking outside the High Court in London on behalf of Harry and his co-claimant, former Labour Member of Parliament Tom Watson, Harry’s lawyer David Sherborne called for a police investigation into the newspaper and spoke of how Harry bringing a case against the publisher has impacted him and his family’s life.
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“In a monumental victory today, News UK have admitted thatThe Sun, the flagship title for Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. media empire, has indeed engaged in illegal practices. This represents a vindication for the hundreds of other claimants who were strong-armed into settling, without being able to get to the truth of what was done to them,” Sherborne began.
Prince Harry’s lawyer David Sherborne speaking outside court on Jan. 22.Leon Neal/Getty
Leon Neal/Getty
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“The truth that has now been exposed is that NGN unlawfully engaged more than 100 private investigators over at least 16 years on more than 35,000 occasions. This happened as much atThe Sunas it did at theNews of the World, with the knowledge of all the editors and executives, going to the very top of the company,” Sherborne added.
Sherborne went on to share that “today’s result has been achieved only through the sheer resilience of Prince Harry and Lord Watson, whose willingness to take NGN to trial has led directly to this historic admission of unlawfulness atThe Sun.”
“As a direct result of him taking a stand, Prince Harry and his immediate family have also had to repeatedly withstand aggressive and vengeful coverage since starting his claim over five years ago. This has created serious concerns for the security of him and his family,” he continued.
“The rule of law must now run its full course. Prince Harry and Tom Watson join others in calling for the police and Parliament to investigate not only the unlawful activity now finally admitted, but the perjury and cover-ups along the way,” Sherborne added. “It’s clear now this has occurred throughout this process, including through sworn evidence in inquiries and court hearings, and in testimony to Parliament, until today’s final collapse of NGN’s defense. Today the lies are laid bare. Today, the cover-ups are exposed. And today proves that no one stands above the law. The time for accountability has arrived.”
Also speaking outside court, Lord Watson praised Harry, who was present for proceedings on Tuesday, for his leadership in the case.
“His bravery and astonishing courage has brought accountability to a part of the media world that thought it was untouchable,” he said. “I am sure I speak on behalf of the thousands of victims when I say we are grateful to him for his unwavering support and his determination under extraordinary pressure.”
Watson then called on Rupert Murdoch to “follow this corporate admission of guilt with a personal apology to Prince Harry, to his father our King and to the countless others who’ve suffered the same unlawful behavior at the hands of his media empire.”
Prince Harry’s co-claimant Lord Watson outside court in London on Jan. 22.Leon Neal/Getty
The settlement on Jan. 22 followed a frenzied day of negotiations the previous day that delayed the start of the hearing.
Harry and Lord Watson had refused to join the hundreds of others, includingHugh GrantandSienna Miller, who previously settled lawsuits with NGN over allegations of phone hacking and other unlawful surveillance before going to trial.
The prince had accused the publisher of illegal information gathering between 1996 and 2011, a period during whichThe Sunand the now-defunctNews of the Worldallegedly targeted him. NGN had previously denied any wrongdoing.
“NGN further apologizes 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 ofDiana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years,” the statement added. “We acknowledge and apologize for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the ruling.
source: people.com
