The publisher of the Mirror, Mirror Group Newspapers, has issued a heartfelt apology to Prince Harry for the unlawful gathering of information, as a highly-anticipated trial over alleged phone hacking begins.
The revelation sheds light on the deeply intrusive methods employed to obtain personal details about the prince, marking a significant moment in the ongoing battle for justice.
Lawyers representing Prince Harry wasted no time in painting a vivid picture of the invasive tactics deployed against him.
They asserted that he had been subjected to relentless scrutiny, enduring the most intrusive methods of information gathering imaginable. The courtroom was captivated by the revelations of the prince’s ordeal.
Prince Harry stands alongside other prominent figures who have brought claims against MGN.
Lawyers argue that top executives within the company were aware of the widespread practice of phone hacking but failed to take appropriate action.
In a written submission, MGN, responsible for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, expressed an unreserved apology to Prince Harry for a specific instance of unlawful information gathering.
The publisher acknowledged the gravity of the legal challenge brought by the prince and indicated their willingness to provide compensation.
According to a barrister representing Prince Harry, Andrew Green KC, a private investigator acting on the instructions of an MGN journalist unlawfully collected information about the prince’s activities at the Chinawhite nightclub during a single night in February 2004.
Notably, the subsequent article published in The People is not among the claims being pursued by the prince.
MGN firmly denies allegations of voicemail interception related to the cases under examination, including Prince Harry’s.
Additionally, the publisher contends that some of the claims have been initiated beyond the legal time limit.
During a previous hearing, it was revealed that Prince Harry’s case revolves around 148 articles published between 1996 and 2010.
Representing the duke, barrister David Sherborne evoked the poignant image of Prince Harry walking behind his mother’s coffin, emphasizing the profound impact it had on his life.
Sherborne described the relentless invasion of the prince’s privacy, stating that there was nowhere that MGN’s newspapers considered “off limits.”
The repercussions extended beyond Prince Harry himself. Sherborne cited the case of Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry’s former girlfriend, who opted out of a royal life due to the alleged unlawful information gathering by MGN journalists.
This decision caused significant distress for the duke, straining their relationship and instilling fear for their safety.
The trial also involves other high-profile figures, including the estates of the late singer George Michael and actor Ricky Tomlinson. “Test cases,” including Prince Harry’s, have been selected to proceed to trial from the larger group of claimants.
Among the additional “representative” cases scheduled for trial are those of former Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson, comedian Paul Whitehouse’s ex-wife Fiona Wightman, and actor Michael Turner, known by his stage name Michael Le Vell.
These individuals are expected to provide testimony during the six to seven-week trial, which promises to be a riveting exploration of media ethics and privacy rights.
Prince Harry is anticipated to take the stand in June, marking a historic moment as a senior royal serves as a witness in a modern court.
Tags: Prince Harry
