Prince Harry reaffirmed his commitment to hold the press accountable despite accepting substantial damages to settle his case against Mirror Group Newspapers. His remarks included criticism of former editor Piers Morgan, marking another chapter in his ongoing battle against media intrusion.
Prince Harry accepted substantial damages to settle his case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) after the High Court ruled that he was a victim of unlawful information gathering by journalists from several tabloids. The settlement included damages of £140,600 and agreement for MGN to cover his legal costs, amounting to at least £400,000.
Harry expressed vindication following the settlement, asserting that the court’s judgment validated his claims about the newspapers’ unethical behavior.
Since stepping down from royal duties and relocating to California with Meghan Markle, Harry has made it his mission to combat media intrusion and hold senior executives and editors accountable for unethical practices.
The settlement with MGN represents a significant victory in his ongoing efforts, with similar lawsuits pending against other media conglomerates, including Associated Newspapers and News Corp.’s British newspaper arm.
Harry emphasized his unwavering commitment to see his mission through to the end, underscoring the importance of upholding journalistic integrity and the rule of law.
Harry criticized former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan, who was implicated in the court’s judgment for his knowledge of the “widespread” unlawful behavior within MGN. Despite Morgan’s denial of involvement in phone hacking, Harry called for accountability and emphasized the need for authorities to uphold the rule of law.
In response, Morgan reiterated his condemnation of intrusive media practices while denying any personal involvement in illegal activities.
Harry’s absence from court during the settlement hearing was attributed to his brief visit to Britain to see his father, King Charles, following the latter’s cancer diagnosis. The father and son met for under an hour before Charles returned home for outpatient treatment.
Despite familial estrangement resulting from Harry’s criticisms of the monarchy, the brief reunion underscored personal ties amidst ongoing public scrutiny and legal battles.
Prince Harry’s commitment to holding the press accountable remains steadfast despite legal settlements and personal challenges. His continued pursuit of media transparency and integrity reflects broader efforts to address unethical practices and uphold the rights of individuals against media intrusion.
Source: Based on information from Reuters.