In a stunning legal victory that exposes the dark underbelly of British tabloid journalism, Prince Harry has emerged triumphant in his phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers. The High Court delivered a damning verdict, ruling that the publisher engaged in extensive illegal activities to obtain private information about the Duke of Sussex.
Substantial Damages Awarded
Mr Justice Fancourt ordered Mirror Group Newspapers to pay Prince Harry £140,600 in damages, finding that 15 out of 33 sample articles examined during the trial resulted from phone hacking or other unlawful information gathering. The judge described the methods used as "widespread and habitual" across Mirror titles.
Decades of Deception Uncovered
The ruling reveals a shocking pattern of illegal activity spanning from 2006 to 2011, with evidence suggesting knowledge and even encouragement of these practices from senior executives. The court heard how journalists routinely intercepted voicemails and used other illegal means to obtain private information about the royal and his associates.
Brother and Sister-in-Law Also Targeted
During the proceedings, the court learned that Prince William and the Princess of Wales, then Kate Middleton, were also victims of the newspaper group's illegal activities. The judge noted that evidence clearly showed both royals had their phones hacked, adding another layer to this royal privacy scandal.
Landmark Moment for Press Accountability
This ruling represents a significant moment in the ongoing battle for press reform in the United Kingdom. Prince Harry, who has become a prominent campaigner for media accountability, described the victory as "a great day for truth, as well as accountability."
The case sets a powerful precedent for future legal actions against media outlets that engage in unlawful information gathering, potentially opening the floodgates for other victims to come forward.
