Prince Harry has emerged victorious in a legal battle against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), resulting in a substantial £140,000 ($180,000) in damages awarded by the High Court. The ruling, delivered by Justice Timothy Fancourt, shed light on the extent of phone hacking employed by the publisher of the Daily Mirror over several years.
The court revealed that Mirror Group Newspapers used unlawful methods, including phone hacking, to gather information for 15 out of 33 articles presented during the case. Fancourt disclosed that Prince Harry’s personal phone was targeted on multiple occasions, spanning the period from 2003 to 2009, with extensive use of illegal means occurring from 2006 to 2011.
In response to the verdict, a spokesperson for MGN expressed regret over the “historical wrongdoing” and stated, “We welcome today’s judgment that gives the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago. Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologise unreservedly, have taken full responsibility and paid appropriate compensation.”
Prince Harry’s historic involvement in the case included his personal appearance in court in June, testifying against the publications and undergoing cross-examination over two days. The ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to address privacy violations and unethical practices in media reporting.
