Prince Harry has finally brought closure to his long-running legal battle against Mirror Group Newspapers over unlawful phone hacking and privacy invasion claims. The publisher has agreed to pay substantial damages to settle the remainder of Harry’s lawsuit after a judge’s damning ruling in December that phone hacking was widespread in its tabloids.
While getting substantial compensation, Harry said he would continue his important mission to reform Britain’s unruly press. If you are new to this lawsuit, then you might need some more information to understand the context. Read this post till the end, as we have shared everything related to this news with all the details you will ever need.
What Is Prince Harry Settles Mirror Phone Hacking Case?
Prince Harry’s case against Mirror Group Newspapers relates to unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking by journalists at the publisher’s tabloids, the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and Sunday People.
In December last year, the High Court ruled that Harry was indeed a victim of these illegal practices and awarded him damages. However, that judgment only looked at a fraction of the articles Harry complained about.
With Mirror Group now agreeing to pay additional substantial damages and costs, it has conceded the rest of Harry’s claims against the unlawful obtaining of his private information.
The publisher is hoping to draw a line under past wrongdoings and face no more expensive court battles, while Harry sees this as vindication of his efforts to take the press to task for unethical practices and hold organizations accountable for their actions.
Why Did Prince Harry Settle?
Prince Harry’s case against Mirror Group Newspapers relates to unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking by journalists at the publisher’s tabloids over roughly a 15-year period.
In December, the High Court ruled in Harry’s favor and found he was a victim, but that judgment only looked at a fraction of the stories he complained about. By agreeing to settle now, it avoids additional expensive court battles and acknowledges the rest of Harry’s privacy claims against the unlawful obtaining of his private information.
The publisher can now draw a line under past wrongdoings and not face more costly legal fees from further court cases, while Harry sees this as vindication for his efforts in holding organizations accountable.
How Much Did Prince Harry Settle For?
Prince Harry’s lawyer told the court that Mirror Group Newspapers will pay the Duke of Sussex a substantial additional sum in damages.
It was also said that the publisher would pay all of Harry’s legal costs and make an interim payment of 400,000 pounds within 14 days. In December, Harry was originally awarded 140,600 pounds in damages after the judge found his phone was hacked.
With this new settlement, Harry has received a significant financial payment that will cover his legal expenses fighting this case for many years, in addition to damages for his privacy being invaded.
Mirror Hacking: Prince Harry Says Piers Morgan Knew Perfectly Well What Was Going On
In his statement, Prince Harry called out Piers Morgan, the former editor of the Daily Mirror, saying he “knew perfectly well” about the phone hacking and other illegal activities. Morgan was the editor during the time some of the hacking took place.
Harry said Morgan’s public denial of any involvement and ongoing criticism of him shows why it was important to fully prove in court the dishonest practices that occurred. This settlement and damages awarded help validate the efforts Harry has taken to reform the British press.
What’s Next In Prince Harry’s War Against The Media?
Prince Harry has settled his phone-hacking lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, but his legal battles against the British press are far from over.
He still has ongoing cases against News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, and Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Both of these lawsuits also involve allegations of phone hacking, and it remains to be seen if they will be settled out of court like the Mirror case or go to trial.
If the cases do go to trial, more private details about Harry and his family could become public. Regardless of the outcomes, Harry has made it clear that his “mission continues” to reform the abusive practices of some U.K. tabloids.
Even after these lawsuits conclude, he will likely continue pushing for stricter regulations and oversight of the British press. Harry seems determined to ensure what happened to his mother does not happen to his wife Meghan or his children Archie and Lilibet.
Piers Morgan Issues Savage Response To Harry After Royal Settles Phone Hacking Case
In his statement announcing the settlement, Prince Harry called out former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan, saying he “knew perfectly well what was going on” regarding phone hacking at the newspaper.
Morgan, who has been a vocal critic of Harry and his wife Meghan, took to social media to respond. He said he agreed hacking the royals’ privacy was wrong but said he hoped Harry would stop doing the same thing.
Morgan has long denied any involvement in phone hacking and wasn’t called as a witness in the trial. But Harry claimed Morgan’s “contempt for the court’s ruling and his continued attacks” show the importance of obtaining a detailed judgment.
This public feud between Harry and the outspoken Morgan is unlikely to end anytime soon, as both men strongly disagree and continue making provocative statements about each other.
Final Words
With this settlement, Prince Harry has achieved a measure of closure on one chapter in his battle against the tabloid media. He has been financially compensated and officially vindicated by the court over his phone hacking claims.
However, Harry made clear his war with the press is far from over, and he will keep fighting to curtail their intrusive and abusive practices. The lawsuits against other publishers remain to be resolved. All eyes will stay on how Harry’s unprecedented legal attacks on the tabloids progress and if they can help enact real reforms.
After years of invasion of his and his loved ones’ privacy, Harry appears determined to force change in the sensationalist media through ongoing court action and public advocacy. Only time will tell if his crusade can help rein in Britain’s long-unchecked tabloid industry.