News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun and the long-defunct News of the World, admits it hacked Prince Harry’s mobile phone and will pay ‘substantial damages’ Agreed.
NGN admitted the misconduct to The Sun shortly before the trial began on Wednesday. According to CNN. Prince Harry claimed that reporters from these organizations illegally intruded into his life and obtained information through illegal means, including hacking his mobile phone. The Duke of Sussex claimed that between 1996 and 2011, reporters and private investigators working on behalf of the publication named him and his family.
Obtained by Associated Press (AP) published Full transcript of NGN’s statement. The organization issued a “full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex” for the activities of those working at The Sun. NGN also apologized for “phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of personal information at the direction of journalists and private investigators at the News of the World”.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 22: Barrister David Sherborne (right) and former Labor Party deputy leader Sir Tom Watson (left) speak to the media outside the High Court in London, England, on January 22, 2025. Stand next to me. Prince Harry and former Labor Party deputy leader Sir Tom Watson have accused News Group Newsletters (NGN), the publisher of The Sun newspaper, of illegally collecting information. Today, the parties agreed to settle the lawsuit, with NGN offering a “full and unequivocal apology” to Prince Harry and Lord Watson for the intrusion into their private lives and agreeing to pay “substantial damages”. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
This is the first time NGN has admitted to wrongdoing at The Sun.
NGN also apologized for the impact of its intrusion into the private affairs of his late mother, Princess Diana, according to AP records. Prince Harry has long held the media responsible for intruding into his mother’s life and contributing to her untimely death.
NGN added that it recognized “the pain caused to the Duke” and the “damage caused to his relationships, friendships and family”.
Sources close to CNN reported that Prince Harry’s settlement with the second claimant, former Labor Party deputy leader Tom Watson, cost an eight-figure sum. It appears that legal costs and damages were also compensated.
Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, read a statement on behalf of the two plaintiffs outside court.
“Today, in a monumental victory, we acknowledge that The Sun, the flagship title of Rupert Murdoch’s British media empire, did engage in illegal activity,” he said, according to CNN. Ta.
LONDON, UK – JUNE 7: Sussex gives a thumbs up as he leaves after giving evidence at the Mirror Group phone hacking trial at the High Court Rolls Building in London, UK, on June 7, 2023. Prince Harry. Prince Harry is one of several plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers over allegations of illegal intelligence gathering over the past several decades. (Photo by Karl Cote/Getty Images)
He went on to say that this result “vindicates the hundreds of other plaintiffs who tried to forcefully settle their cases without being able to discover the truth of what was done to them.” Ta.
Mr Sherborne said: “News UK has finally been held to account for its misconduct and blatant disregard for the law.”
An NGN spokesperson told CNN in a statement that the illegal activity at The Sun was carried out by private investigators and “not by journalists.”
“We currently have strong controls and processes in place across all of our titles to ensure this never happens,” the spokesperson said. (Related: Meghan’s father says he will move to the other side of the world to escape the turmoil Meghan brings to his life)
Mr. Sherborn said his clients are now “asking police and Congress to investigate not only the ultimately admitted misconduct, but also the perjury and cover-ups along the way.”
“Today, the lie was exposed. Today, the cover-up was exposed. And today, we proved that no one is above the law. It’s time to be held accountable.” came,” he said, according to CNN.