Allegations of unlawful information gathering
Lawyers representing the Duke of Sussex and six other high-profile figures have accused Associated Newspapers Ltd, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, of engaging in what they describe as a clear, systematic and sustained use of unlawful information gathering. The claims were outlined in written submissions to the High Court at the start of a closely watched trial.
Prince Harry said the alleged intrusion was terrifying for his loved ones and placed immense strain on his personal relationships. He told the court that the impact of the reporting left him feeling paranoid, isolated and deeply distressed.
High-profile claimants join the action
The Duke of Sussex is joined by a group of prominent figures, including Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racist attack more than 30 years ago. Other claimants include Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish, actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, and former Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes.
Several of the claimants were present in court for the opening of the trial, which marks Prince Harry’s final legal action against a newspaper publisher over alleged unlawful newsgathering practices.
Claims span nearly two decades
The claimants allege that unlawful activities took place between 1993 and 2011, and in some cases continued beyond that period. Their legal team said the practices included the use of private investigators to intercept voicemail messages, listening to live landline calls, and obtaining private information such as phone bills and medical records through deception.
The court was told that journalists and executives across the Mail titles were involved or complicit over a prolonged period. According to the claimants, senior figures within the organisation approved and commissioned the use of unlawfully obtained information.
Missing documents and disputed evidence
The claimants’ barrister, David Sherborne, argued that large volumes of relevant material had been destroyed, including emails deleted before 2004. He said this amounted to a mass destruction of evidence. Associated Newspapers has said this was the result of a routine email deletion policy.
Sherborne also told the court that earlier denials by the publisher, including evidence given during the Leveson inquiry, were untrue and amounted to a deliberate strategy of ignoring wrongdoing.
Associated Newspapers rejects accusations
Associated Newspapers has denied all allegations of unlawful conduct. In written submissions, its lawyers said the claims were exaggerated and based largely on inference rather than concrete proof. They argued that the case relied on speculation and selectively presented evidence.
The publisher also said the legal action was the result of a coordinated strategy that encouraged prominent individuals to join the case.
A lengthy and costly trial ahead
The case was first lodged in October 2022 and survived an attempt by the publisher to have it dismissed on the grounds that the claims were too old. The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks, with Prince Harry due to give evidence later this week.
Legal costs could reach as much as £38 million, regardless of the outcome, making it one of the most expensive media law cases in recent years.
