by Mick the Ram

News Group Newspapers (NGN) who own the UK’s leading tabloid “The Sun”, have given a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for what is being referred to as a “serious intrusion” into his private life and have agreed to pay “substantial damages”.

A statement given by the group did not disclose how much the damages would be, but it is understood that the legal fees for both sides is estimated to be £10m, and NGN is expected to cover costs for Prince Harry and those of a second claimant, former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson.

This long-running legal battle between the publisher and Prince Harry was about to reach the High Court, with the Duke alleging that not only was information written about him in more than 200 articles – which had been gathered in unlawful ways over an extended period between 1996 and 2010 – but also executives had allegedly covered it up.

Prince Harry and Lord Tom are not the only household names to have settled their claims against NGN and lawyer David Sherborne speaking outside court on behalf of the Duke described the settlement as a “monumental victory,” adding that the newspaper group had “finally been held to account for its illegal actions and its blatant disregard for the law”.

“Illegal intrusion”

It was in 2019 that Prince Harry launched claims against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group, the Mirror Group and Associated Newspapers.

He claimed stories about his schooldays, teenage years and personal relationships were obtained by hacking, bugging, deception and other forms of illegal intrusion.

Last minute discussions

The court hearing had been eagerly anticipated and had been due to begin on 21 January, but Mr Sherborne, representing the Duke of Sussex, asked the judge to delay the start of the High Court trial, as the two sides had entered last minute discussions that could lead to a potential settlement.

That is how it transpired, even though Harry repeatedly said he wanted the case to go to trial so that he could get “accountability” for other alleged victims of unlawful news gathering of private information by NGN journalists.

Mr Sherborne said that many of the executives who allegedly covered up what had been going on “remain firmly entrenched in senior positions today, wielding editorial power and perpetuating the toxic culture in which they continue to thrive”.

Responsibility accepted

The statement from NGN offered a “full and unequivocal apology” to Prince Harry for what they acknowledged was the “serious intrusion” by The Sun into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working on behalf of the newspaper.

They accepted responsibility for phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information against Harry by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World – a publication no longer in existence.

Acknowledgement of intrusion against Diana

NGN further apologised to the Duke for the impact on him by the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.

An acceptance of the distress caused to the Duke was communicated, focusing on the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and they stated that they have agreed to pay him “substantial damages”.

Second unequivocal apology

The group repeated their “full and unequivocal apology” to Lord Watson for the unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in Government by the News of the World during the period 2009- 2011.

Their statement acknowledged and apologised for the adverse impact it had on Lord Watson’s family and as a consequence they have agreed to pay him “substantial damages”.

Demand for apology to King

After the settlement was announced, Lord Watson said: “I wish they had left my family alone, so today, I’m glad they have finally accepted responsibility.”

He described the snooping by NGN staff as “industrial in scale” and went further to say: “If Rupert Murdoch had any decency, he should follow this corporate admission of guilt with a personal apology to Prince Harry, to his father, our King and to the countless others who suffered the same unlawful behaviour at the hands of his media empire.”

High profile settlements

Other high profile celebrities who have suffered at the hands of NGN include the likes of singer Sir Elton John, actor Hugh Grant, actresses Sienna Miller and Elizabeth Hurley, ex England footballer Paul Gascoigne, Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm (Mel C), and Boyzone’s Ronan Keating.