The High Court in London on Friday, the 15th of December, found that Prince Harry was the victim of phone hacking and other illegal information gathering by British tabloids and awarded him 140 600 sterling pounds in compensation. The Prince had sued Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), publisher of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, reports Reuters.
Prince Harry, along with around 100 other claimants including actors, sports stars, celebrities, and people connected to high-profile figures, sued over allegations of phone hacking and illegal information gathering that happened from 1991 to 2011.
Harry claimed that MGN harassed him for 15 years, starting in 1996, and that more than 140 articles were published in newspapers as a result of illegal information gathering, although only 33 of them were taken to court.
In his ruling, Judge Timothy Fancourt found that
15 of the 33 articles were the result of phone hacking or other illegal information gathering, according to Reuters.
He concluded that illegal activities were widespread in the newspapers and were known to the editors, although most of the board members were kept in the dark.
MGN’s spokesman acknowledged the verdict, saying it gives the company the clarity it needs to move on from what happened years ago. The spokesperson apologised for the historical wrongdoing, accepted responsibility, and confirmed that appropriate compensation would be paid.
Prince Harry has four cases before the Supreme Court, including the MGN case. He has also obtained the right to proceed with a similar phone-hacking case against Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. In addition, the court will also hear allegations of unlawful activity by News Corp News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun.
In June, Prince Harry became the first high-ranking member of the British royal family in 130 years to give evidence in court.
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