Prince Harry Seeks Trial Postponement Against News Group Newspapers Amid Allegations of Illegal Practices
Lawyers representing Prince Harry and News Group Newspapers (NGN), a British subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch's media empire, have requested a postponement of their trial's official start to allow for potential settlement negotiations. The Duke of Sussex, son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, along with Labour MP Tom Watson, accuses NGN’s newspapers, The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, of engaging in illegal practices to procure exclusive information between 1996 and 2011.
The proceedings that were set to commence on Tuesday in London's High Court faced delays when both parties requested an extension, citing the need for further time to pursue a settlement. Initially asking for a one-hour postponement, the request was later expanded until 1400 GMT. Following lunch, another postponement was requested but was denied by Judge Timothy Fancourt, who expressed disappointment at the lack of progress made by the parties involved.
In the wake of the judge's refusal, lawyers Anthony Hudson, representing NGN, and David Sherborne, for the claimants, indicated plans to appeal the decision before the Court of Appeal. This led to the suspension of the proceedings, which will resume on Wednesday at 1000 GMT. The attorneys argued that they required additional time to finalize a significant settlement, hinting at the complexities of their negotiations and mentioning they pertained to a 'huge sum' which remains undisclosed.
Prince Harry has previously shown reluctance towards an out-of-court settlement, unlike more than 1,300 other individuals involved in the case, including actor Hugh Grant, who opted for financial compensation rather than pursuing court accountability. The Duke seeks justice against what he describes as sensationalist practices in the press.
Should the trial proceed, Prince Harry is anticipated to testify in the forthcoming weeks. The judge has agreed to review around thirty articles from The Sun and News of the World, as evidence presented by the claimants purports that these articles were derived from illegal means. Amongst the contentious articles is one from nearly two decades ago with the headline: 'An emotional Harry called Chelsy his then-girlfriend at midnight,' suggesting that the information was obtained through illicit access to private communications.
Earlier, Judge Fancourt ruled that Harry’s claims regarding illegal wiretapping of his voicemail had expired. Nonetheless, other allegations of illegal practices remain under consideration for the trial. In response, NGN maintains that several charges raised against them have lapsed and they are prepared to contest article by article, disputing the existence of evidence supporting the claimed illegal acts.
Related Sources: