Has Harry’s War with the Press Finally Run Out of Road?
Has Harry s war with the press – Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is currently in the UK, marking what some see as the end of a prolonged conflict with the press. A recent judicial decision has cast doubt on the validity of the claims brought by Harry and his co-plaintiffs against Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.
The Judge’s Verdict
Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that the group failed to establish clear evidence of illegal information gathering. This vindicated the publisher’s argument that no wrongdoing occurred. The ruling has left dozens of journalists, including Stephen Wright of the Daily Mail, to defend their actions against accusations of overreaching privacy breaches.
“Devastated” by the claim that he targeted Baroness Doreen Lawrence with surveillance akin to a police operation, Wright expressed his dismay in court.
A Joint Statement of Disappointment
Following the verdict, Prince Harry and Baroness Lawrence issued a statement calling the decision a “whitewash.” They argued the ruling failed to hold the press accountable for its practices. Harry’s legal team has not yet announced plans for an appeal, suggesting the case may conclude here.
The Hacking Scandal’s Legacy
The saga began in 2007 when police uncovered that Harry’s phone had been hacked by private investigator Glenn Mulcaire. This led to the conviction of Mulcaire and News of the World’s royal correspondent, Clive Goodman. The scandal escalated in 2009 with a Guardian investigation revealing widespread hacking of royal phones, including the tragic case of Milly Dowler, a murdered teenager whose phone was breached for a News of the World story.
The collapse of News of the World in 2011 was followed by criminal convictions of its senior figures, including Andy Coulson, in 2014. Civil lawsuits against News Group and Mirror Group Newspapers then emerged, costing the publications millions in settlements and countless apologies.
Shifting Legal Strategies
Harry’s legal team initially advised him to stay out of the fray, but his meeting with barrister David Sherborne changed the course. Sherborne guided Harry’s approach, leading to his testimony in court—often emotional and fierce—against the three major publishers. His high-profile role kept the scandal in the public eye for over a decade.
Other notable figures joined the case, including actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, singer Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish, and former politician Sir Simon Hughes. Baroness Lawrence, whose son was murdered in 1993, also became a key plaintiff. Harry’s legal victories against Mirror Group and News Group set the stage for the final challenge against Associated Newspapers.
A New Legal Chapter
The case against Associated Newspapers differed from earlier claims. The judge required claimants to prove each story was obtained unlawfully, rather than relying on general accusations of journalistic misconduct. This stricter standard, combined with questionable evidence-gathering methods, made the case more difficult to win.
Legal experts noted the publisher’s “all-or-nothing” defense at the 2011 Leveson Inquiry left them exposed. With the current ruling, it appears the 20-year history of these claims may be drawing to a close, though the implications for future lawsuits remain uncertain.
