Prince Harry alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of the Sun and the now defunct News of the World. At a hearing in April, NGN asked Mr Justice Fancourt to throw out the duke's case, arguing it was too late because he should have known sooner he had a potential claim.
Yesterday, the judge concluded that Harry could not bring his claim relating to phone hacking but that his claim over other allegations including use of private investigators - should go to a trial, due in January.
The judge refused to allow the duke to rely on an alleged "secret agreement" between the royal family and senior executives working for media mogul Rupert Murdoch as part of his claim. NGN claimed the ruling was a "significant victory".
The judge, in his written ruling, concluded there was "no reasonable prospect" of Harry proving at trial, "that he did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have discovered facts that would show that he had a worthwhile claim for voicemail interception in relation to each of the News of the World and the Sun".
This story is from the July 28, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the July 28, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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