Prince Harry’s legal fight against Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper group has been delayed due to ongoing settlement discussions. The case, which was set to continue on Wednesday in London’s High Court, was postponed after both legal teams requested more time to negotiate a potential agreement.
The prince, alongside former lawmaker Tom Watson, is suing News Group Newspapers (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.
While NGN has already paid millions to settle phone-hacking claims and other unlawful practices, Harry’s focus is not on financial compensation but on uncovering the truth. This lawsuit, first filed in 2019, had been expected to kick off an eight-week trial, but both sides requested additional time to continue settlement talks.
Anthony Hudson, NGN’s lawyer, explained that “very intense discussions” had taken place in recent days, and difficulties caused by time zone differences with Harry, who resides in California, were also factors. Hudson warned that if the trial proceeded, it could result in a substantial sum being payable, which would influence the settlement negotiations.
Judge Timothy Fancourt denied further extensions and refused permission for an appeal against his ruling. However, he allowed the parties to appeal directly to the Court of Appeal, acknowledging this could still lead to the desired outcome.
Prince Harry has stated that his main goal is accountability. He emphasized that he is determined to seek the truth, despite other claimants choosing to settle their cases to avoid hefty legal fees. Harry is expected to appear as a witness in February, should the trial proceed.
The lawsuits NGN has previously settled include cases involving celebrities, politicians, and ordinary people connected to major events. Prince Harry’s legal team has mentioned that his brother, Prince William, settled his own case with NGN in 2020 for a significant amount of money.
Although News of the World ceased publication in 2011, Murdoch’s company has consistently denied any unlawful activity at the Sun and is prepared to defend the allegations. The trial was expected to address the extent of phone hacking and other unlawful information gathering at the newspapers.
Harry’s legal team plans to argue that senior executives and editors at NGN were aware of the widespread unlawful behavior, misled the police, and destroyed millions of emails to cover up the scandal. NGN strongly denies these claims.
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