Prince Harry reportedly suffered an embarrassing defeat after his privacy lawsuit against the Daily Mail was thrown out. The Duke of Sussex was among several high-profile individuals who filed the lawsuit in 2022, alleging they were victims of unlawful information gathering. Others who joined the lawsuit include Elton John, David Furnish, actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, campaigner Doreen Lawrence, and former politician Sir Simon Hughes.
Prince Harry’s privacy lawsuit against Daily Mail gets tossed out
Prince Harry is reportedly facing a loss against the Daily Mail after his privacy lawsuit got tossed out. The British royal and others in the group alleged that Associated Newspapers Ltd., which publishes the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, acquired information through illegal means. The publisher, Associated Newspapers, denied these claims.
These unlawful methods reportedly include hacking phones and bugging cars and homes. Furthermore, they recruited private investigators to get hold of medical records and private bank details. The lawsuit named several journalists and private investigators. The claimants alleged that these journalists engaged in the “clear, systematic and sustained use of unlawful information-gathering.”
However, as per Justice Matthew Nicklin, the claimants had allegedly failed to provide evidence of these unlawful methods. Nicklin also commented on Harry, stating, “In assessing Prince Harry’s evidence overall, it was apparent that he wished the Court to understand the personal impact of the matters in issue. At times, this led him beyond giving factual evidence into advancing arguments on the issues.”
Continuing further, the judge said, “Overall, this did not affect the quality of Prince Harry’s evidence, which I accept. As with each of the Claimants, Prince Harry has limited evidence to give on the contentious matters in dispute” (via Variety).
An 11-week trial took place earlier this year. The costs are estimated to be in the range of $40 million. Additionally, a hearing to determine costs will be held at a later date. The Duke of Sussex will be in England this week for the one-year countdown to the next Invictus Games. Notably, it is a sports tournament honoring wounded soldiers that is set to take place in Birmingham in July 2027.
Originally reported by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory.
