Prince Harry claims £440,000 in damages as hacking case closes

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The high-profile trial concluded on Friday after seven weeks of evidence from dozens of witnesses, reports ITV News’ Rebecca Barry.

The Duke of Sussex is claiming £440,000 in damages from the Mirror Group newspapers over alleged illegal information gathering, at noon on the final day of the case.

Harry, 38, is suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) for damages, alleging that the journalists at its titles – Daily, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People – were linked by methods including phone hacking or obtaining information by hoax, and the use of private investigators for illegal purposes. . activities.

His case is being heard alongside similar allegations by actor Michael Turner, known professionally as Michael Le Vell and best known for playing Kevin Webster in Coronation Street, actress Nikki Sanderson and comedian Paul Whitehouse’s ex-wife Fiona Whiteman.

The allegations in their allegations of illegal activity in MGN titles cover a period from 1991 through at least 2011, the court was told.

The high-profile trial of their allegations concluded Friday after seven weeks of evidence from dozens of witnesses, including journalists, editors, private investigators and MGN executives.

Harry faced eight hours of cross-examination over two days during his witness box appearance, which drew the attention of the world’s media.

It was believed to be the first time a senior member of the royal family had appeared in person at court proceedings since 2002, when the Princess Royal pleaded guilty to a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act after her pet bit her two children in Windsor Great Park.

The Duke of Sussex leaves court. Credit: PA

At the end of the hearing, Judge Fancourt, the judge adjudicating the case, said it would take “some time” to prepare his ruling.

The judge said, “You will appreciate that I will conduct an investigation after I heard a trial over seven weeks.”

It emerged on Friday that Harry is seeking damages of around £440,000 if his case is successful, while MGN says he would only be entitled to about £37,000 if the judge rules against the publisher.

The Duke alleges that 147 stories from 1996 to 2010, published by MGN titles, used information obtained through illegal means.

Some 33 articles, dated between 1996 and 2009, were selected for examination during Harry’s trial and other disputed allegations against the publisher.

In a document released to the media on Friday afternoon, the Duke’s lawyers suggested he could be awarded up to £320,000 if his case in relation to all 33 of the stories is successful.

Harry testified for eight hours. Credit: PA

Another document released by his legal team late on Friday indicates he is seeking additional damages of around £120,000 related to alleged illegal information-gathering rings linked to MGN’s payment records – including records which his lawyers say relate to the targeting of his late mother Diana. Princess Wells.

Harry previously told the court that MGN’s alleged interference in his life contributed to “a great deal of paranoia” in his relationships.

In his testimony, the Duke said he found it “extremely difficult to trust anyone, which led to bouts of depression and paranoia”.

Judge Justice Fancourt’s findings in relation to the four will be used to determine the outcome of dozens of lawsuits brought by others against MGN, including actor Ricky Tomlinson, heir to the late singer George Michael, former footballer and TV presenter. Ian Wright and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.

MGN largely disputes the allegations and denies that any of the articles complained of resulted from phone hacks while claiming that the vast majority did not arise from any other illegal activity.

The publisher has made a limited number of admissions of illegal activity in relation to the Duke, Mrs. Sanderson and Mrs. Wightman, for which the publisher has apologized and agreed that they are entitled to some damages, but denies the majority of their claims and Mr. Turner. The whole issue.

MGN’s lawyers previously said Harry was only entitled to £500 for example for collecting illegal information, which was not linked to the articles the duke had complained about, and for which the publisher had apologized.

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