Prince Harry Secures Landmark Victory in Privacy Case

[Social Media]

 

Prince Harry has achieved what his legal team is calling a "monumental victory" in his privacy invasion case against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of *The Sun*. The case, set to launch into a weeks-long trial, was settled on the opening day in a development described as extraordinary. This outcome has garnered attention not only for its implications but also for the strong statements it has inspired.  

"Their collective silence is deafening."

Prince Harry's barrister, David Sherborne, hails a 'monumental victory' as The Sun's owner issues a full apology for privacy breaches, declaring, "the time for accountability has arrived."https://t.co/j5lmtTZsw1

📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/h2yzZmCgtf

— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 22, 2025

 

Calls for Accountability

Following the settlement, Lord Watson, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party and a co-claimant in the case, spoke outside the court. He expressed his belief that Rupert Murdoch, the head of the media empire, should personally apologise to Prince Harry and King Charles. "If Rupert Murdoch had any decency, he should follow this corporate mission of guilt with a personal apology," said Watson. He also commended Prince Harry’s "bravery and astonishing courage" in taking on a media giant, stating that his efforts brought accountability to a realm of journalism that had long considered itself untouchable.  

 

David Sherborne, Prince Harry's lawyer, echoed these sentiments, calling for broader investigations into NGN’s "illegal actions and its blatant disregard for the law." He urged the police and Parliament to probe not only the unlawful practices but also the "perjury and cover-ups" associated with the case.  

 

Exposing the Truth

Sherborne revealed that NGN unlawfully employed over 100 private investigators on more than 35,000 occasions across 16 years. These actions were allegedly known to editors and executives, forming what Sherborne described as an "extensive conspiracy" to cover up the misconduct. He also noted that many individuals implicated in these activities remain in senior positions within News UK and other global media outlets.  

The lawyer praised the resilience of both Prince Harry and Lord Watson, stating that their persistence led to a "historic admission" from NGN, despite the company’s longstanding denials and resistance.  

 

A Milestone for Prince Harry

Prince Harry’s settlement with NGN includes "substantial damages," accompanied by an apology acknowledging the distress caused by the invasive actions of journalists and investigators. While NGN has admitted to unlawful practices associated with its now-defunct *News of the World*, it continues to deny allegations of phone hacking at *The Sun*. This point remains unresolved in the settlement, despite being a key aspect of Prince Harry’s case. 

 

Royal commentator Jennie Bond reflected on the significance of the outcome, describing it as a "huge victory" for the Duke of Sussex. "He wanted his day in court, but he’s got the apology he sought without the prolonged ordeal of a ten-week trial," Bond noted, adding that the resolution allows Prince Harry to move forward with his life.  

 

Wider Implications

This case was one of three legal battles Prince Harry has launched against British tabloids, accusing them of privacy violations. In a previous victory, the court ruled that phone hacking was "widespread and habitual" at the *Daily Mirror*. These cases highlight ongoing issues within certain corners of the press, raising questions about journalistic ethics and the protection of individuals' privacy.  

 

With this settlement, Prince Harry has not only secured a personal triumph but also shone a light on the systemic issues within the media. As his legal team and supporters have emphasized, this outcome serves as a reminder that no one is above the rule of law, regardless of power or influence.

 

Based on a report by Sky News 2025-01-23

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

Well done Prince Harry, it’s well past time Murdoch’s rags were held to account.

 

The recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry where never implemented by Cameron, so Murdoch carried on with his criminality:

 

 

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

David Sherborne, Prince Harry's lawyer, echoed these sentiments, calling for broader investigations into NGN’s "illegal actions and its blatant disregard for the law." He urged the police and Parliament to probe not only the unlawful practices but also the "perjury and cover-ups" associated with the case.  

 

[JonnyF]

Interesting.

 

Only a few months ago he said he would not settle and that this was not about money but accountability, and for all the little people with no voice.

 

I guess that changed when he sniffed 10 Mil. 😄

 

This cash should last Markle a few months worth of climate polluting private jets. 

[Watawattana]

I guess if the case had gone ahead then NGN may well have been found to have carried out these unlawful activities.  But they've admitted it so no need for the case.  I'm glad that Harry will get some money; he's had to go through everything that NGN did and has had to deal with their lies and denials.  I don't care how he or Meghan spends it, none of my business.

 

It would be great if Murdoch and everyone else involved in NGN's lies got financially ruined and thrown in jail.  But as so many politicians get away with such lies and denials, as well as corruption I doubt this will happen.

[Chomper Higgot]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Interesting.

 

Only a few months ago he said he would not settle and that this was not about money but accountability, and for all the little people with no voice.

 

I guess that changed when he sniffed 10 Mil. 😄

 

This cash should last Markle a few months worth of climate polluting private jets. 

NGN also said they wouldn’t settle and professed their innocence while doing so.

 

Settling is the smart move, especially when the respondent admits their guilt.

 

If the plaintiff turns down an out of court settlement offer that is larger than then court award then the plaintiff gets saddled with all the cost for having deemed to have pursued the case beyond a reasonable settlement.

 

Well done Prince Harry.

 

And the good news, the admission by NGN opens the door to calls for the press to be held to independent governance of standards and behaviour.

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

33 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

NGN also said they wouldn’t settle and professed their innocence while doing so.

 

Settling is the smart move, especially when the respondent admits their guilt.

 

If the plaintiff turns down an out of court settlement offer that is larger than then court award then the plaintiff gets saddled with all the cost for having deemed to have pursued the case beyond a reasonable settlement.

 

Well done Prince Harry.

 

And the good news, the admission by NGN opens the door to calls for the press to be held to independent governance of standards and behaviour.

 

 

 

 

But he said it wasn't about the money.

 

Until it was. 

 

More lies from the perpetual victim. 

[Chomper Higgot]

10 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

But he said it wasn't about the money.

 

Until it was. 

 

More lies from the perpetual victim. 

The settlement confirms Prince Harry and his wife were victims of wrong doing by NGN.

 

He got the admission he was seeking.

 

 

[RuamRudy]

22 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

But he said it wasn't about the money.

 

Until it was. 

 

More lies from the perpetual victim. 

 

No case is guaranteed - it is entirely possible that it was not about the money he might be awarded had he won, but could be about the money he might have been liable for if he lost the case. 

 

His move was smart, but I guess also NGN were smart too. Murdoch has had a lifetime of the foulest of linen that he doesn't want aired in public. 

[JonnyF]

Just now, RuamRudy said:

 

No case is guaranteed - it is entirely possible that it was not about the money he might be awarded had he wone, but could be about the money he could have been liable for if he lost the case. 

 

His move was smart, but I guess also NGN were smart too. Murdoch has had a lifetime of the foulest of linen that he doesn't want aired in public. 

 

He wasn't smart.

 

He lied to pretend to be the knight in shining armour and then bottled it and took the money when he had the chance to expose the people he claims to be taking on. 

 

They bought his silence. Harry's principles are for sale. 

[RuamRudy]

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

He wasn't smart.

 

He lied to pretend to be the knight in shining armour and then bottled it and took the money when he had the chance to expose the people he claims to be taking on. 

 

They bought his silence. Harry's principles are for sale. 

 

The Wagatha Christie tale shows just how expensive celebrity litigation can be; we are all disappointed that Murdoch hasn't been exposed as we would like, but I can understand fully why Harry chose to err on the side of caution, If he was to lose, or even, as Chomper pointed out, awarded less than the large sum offered by NGN, he would have been hammered financially. 

[couchpotato]

22 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

He wasn't smart.

 

He lied to pretend to be the knight in shining armour and then bottled it and took the money when he had the chance to expose the people he claims to be taking on. 

 

They bought his silence. Harry's principles are for sale. 

No.....If you read the article correctly they admitted guilt and wrongdoing, which which is "exposed'. So better for them to offer settlement, which was accepted by Harry/Team when the unlawful actions were admitted.

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, couchpotato said:

No.....If you read the article correctly they admitted guilt and wrongdoing, which which is "exposed'. So better for them to offer settlement, which was accepted by Harry/Team when the unlawful actions were admitted.

 

No, like Chomps and RR said, Murdoch has a whole host of dirty secrets that Harry has allowed him to keep hidden in exchange for a few pieces of silver. Murdoch simply paid him to shut up about it. 

 

He claimed he was a dragon slayer, David vs Goliath. Instead, the simp ran away back to his wife to tell her they're OK to act like bigshot celebs for another 6 months. 

[retayl]

A full trial would have exposed Murdochs pet rotweiler Rebekah Brookes & other top executives to the risk of prosecution, so they settled. Harry bottled it in the interests of money.

[RuamRudy]

52 minutes ago, retayl said:

A full trial would have exposed Murdochs pet rotweiler Rebekah Brookes & other top executives to the risk of prosecution, so they settled. Harry bottled it in the interests of money.

 

I may be wrong, but I think there is an algorithmic mechanism for determining damages in the event that the plaintiff wins. 

 

All Murdoch's lawyers needed to do was estimate what that amount would be then offer a chunk more. Harry had no option but to accept it or he could have been financially ruined even if he won in court. 

[retayl]

30 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

I may be wrong, but I think there is an algorithmic mechanism for determining damages in the event that the plaintiff wins. 

 

All Murdoch's lawyers needed to do was estimate what that amount would be then offer a chunk more. Harry had no option but to accept it or he could have been financially ruined even if he won in court. 

According to google:-

Punitive damages are not calculated using a set formula, instead, courts consider various factors like the severity of the defendant's misconduct, their financial situation, the harm caused to the plaintiff, and the need to deter future similar behavior to determine the appropriate amount, with the primary goal being to punish the defendant and discourage others from acting similarly; essentially, the calculation is based on the egregiousness of the defendant's actions rather than the plaintiff's direct losses. 

[RuamRudy]

48 minutes ago, retayl said:

According to google:-

Punitive damages are not calculated using a set formula, instead, courts consider various factors like the severity of the defendant's misconduct, their financial situation, the harm caused to the plaintiff, and the need to deter future similar behavior to determine the appropriate amount, with the primary goal being to punish the defendant and discourage others from acting similarly; essentially, the calculation is based on the egregiousness of the defendant's actions rather than the plaintiff's direct losses. 

 

Thanks - I guess that shows how unpredictable the whole thing is. Maybe the murdoch strategy was to throw a ridiculous sum (£10 million) on the table in some sort of poker move, and Harry folded. 

[Chomper Higgot]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

He wasn't smart.

 

He lied to pretend to be the knight in shining armour and then bottled it and took the money when he had the chance to expose the people he claims to be taking on. 

 

They bought his silence. Harry's principles are for sale. 

You’re taking your hate thing a bit to far Jonny.

 

Get over Prince Harry marrying the woman he loves.

 

[rocketboy2]

We all know what he is.

 

[BusyB]

5 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

 

No case is guaranteed - it is entirely possible that it was not about the money he might be awarded had he won, but could be about the money he might have been liable for if he lost the case. 

 

His move was smart, but I guess also NGN were smart too. Murdoch has had a lifetime of the foulest of linen that he doesn't want aired in public. 

 

If he'd been awarded only ONE PENNY less than the settlement offer he'd have been liable for all the costs.

 

It seems he got enough of what he was after not to have to take that risk. Kudos!