Prince Harry's Legal Battle Against Murdoch Papers Delayed Amid Settlement Talks
The High Court case against News Group Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering is postponed as both sides negotiate a potential settlement.
Prince Harry’s ongoing legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper group, News Group Newspapers (NGN), has been delayed after last-minute discussions on a possible settlement.
The case, initially scheduled to resume in London’s High Court on Wednesday, has been postponed as both parties requested additional time to negotiate.
Harry, alongside former British lawmaker Tom Watson, is suing NGN over alleged unlawful activities carried out by journalists and private investigators working for the Sun and the now-defunct News of the World between 1996 and 2011.
NGN has already paid hundreds of millions of pounds to settle over 1,300 lawsuits related to phone-hacking and other unlawful information gathering.
However, Harry has repeatedly stated that his lawsuit is not about monetary compensation but about uncovering the truth behind the actions of the newspapers.
His legal team plans to argue that senior NGN executives and editors were aware of widespread unlawful activities and engaged in efforts to cover up the misconduct.
The delay was requested due to ongoing negotiations and logistical challenges, including time zone issues related to Harry’s residence in California.
A judge had initially refused to grant additional time but later indicated that the parties could appeal directly to the Court of Appeal.
The trial, if it proceeds, would consider the extent of phone-hacking and unlawful activities at the newspapers.
Harry is expected to appear as a witness in February if the trial goes forward.
NGN has consistently denied any unlawful activities at the Sun and has stated it will fully defend the claims.
The trial was originally set to examine broader issues, including the deletion of emails and misleading statements made to authorities, as part of Harry's quest for accountability regarding the media practices at the time.
The case, initially scheduled to resume in London’s High Court on Wednesday, has been postponed as both parties requested additional time to negotiate.
Harry, alongside former British lawmaker Tom Watson, is suing NGN over alleged unlawful activities carried out by journalists and private investigators working for the Sun and the now-defunct News of the World between 1996 and 2011.
NGN has already paid hundreds of millions of pounds to settle over 1,300 lawsuits related to phone-hacking and other unlawful information gathering.
However, Harry has repeatedly stated that his lawsuit is not about monetary compensation but about uncovering the truth behind the actions of the newspapers.
His legal team plans to argue that senior NGN executives and editors were aware of widespread unlawful activities and engaged in efforts to cover up the misconduct.
The delay was requested due to ongoing negotiations and logistical challenges, including time zone issues related to Harry’s residence in California.
A judge had initially refused to grant additional time but later indicated that the parties could appeal directly to the Court of Appeal.
The trial, if it proceeds, would consider the extent of phone-hacking and unlawful activities at the newspapers.
Harry is expected to appear as a witness in February if the trial goes forward.
NGN has consistently denied any unlawful activities at the Sun and has stated it will fully defend the claims.
The trial was originally set to examine broader issues, including the deletion of emails and misleading statements made to authorities, as part of Harry's quest for accountability regarding the media practices at the time.
