Prince Harry is intensifying his legal battle against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, over allegations of unlawful information gathering. A judge has permitted him to utilize further emails exchanged between senior newspaper executives and royal palace staff in his ongoing lawsuit.
According to Prince Harry’s barrister, David Sherborne, the Duke of Sussex remains one of two claimants still pursuing legal claims against Rupert Murdoch’s NGN. The second claimant is former deputy Labour leader Tom Watson. Sherborne noted that 39 cases have been resolved since a prior hearing in July.
Both cases involving Harry and Watson are slated for trial in January. Harry claims he was targeted by journalists and private investigators associated with NGN, which previously published the now-defunct News of the World. NGN has consistently denied any unlawful actions were conducted at The Sun.
Tom Watson was present at the hearing, though Prince Harry was not in attendance. Lawyers representing the Duke sought access to critical emails exchanged between five senior NGN executives and five royal household staff members. Among the individuals named were Rebekah Brooks, Chief Executive of News UK as of September 2015, Robert Thomson, Chief Executive of News Corp since 2013, and Mike Darcey, who served as Chief Executive of News UK until September 2015. Royal household representatives included Sir Christopher Geidt, former private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Edward Young, Geidt’s successor, and Sally Osman, a former royal communications head.
The judge granted limited access to the requested emails, stating that while there is some speculation about whether these documents will aid Harry’s case, there is adequate justification for a portion of the emails to be disclosed. He emphasized that providing a comprehensive picture could serve justice by potentially substantiating Harry’s claims.
Previously, Prince Harry argued that he could not file his case earlier due to a “secret agreement” designed to delay compensation and resolution until other civil cases against NGN were concluded. NGN dismissed this claim as “Alice in Wonderland stuff.” Sherborne maintained that NGN’s submitted emails were selective and incomplete, suggesting that further disclosures might reveal new evidence relevant to the liability and knowledge surrounding the case.
Sherborne pointed to prior email evidence indicating possible discussions on NGN compensating and apologizing to members of the royal family. He argued that additional emails could shed light on the extent to which palace actions may have hindered Harry’s claims or impacted the information relayed to him regarding NGN’s stance.
One email from July 2017, cited by Sherborne, detailed a meeting involving Sally Osman, Robert Thomson, and Sir Christopher Geidt, which reportedly referenced discussions about “resolution and recompense” under “the Queen’s full authority and knowledge.” Another correspondence in 2018 showed Harry inquiring about an update from royal solicitors. The response mentioned ongoing negotiations for an apology from NGN and described the situation as “the ball is with Murdoch.”
NGN’s attorney, Anthony Hudson KC, dismissed Harry’s pursuit of additional emails as a speculative fishing expedition, arguing the documents are irrelevant to the key issues in Harry’s case and unnecessary for ensuring a fair trial. Hudson maintained that the requested searches would be disproportionate and would not reduce litigation costs. The court has previously ruled that claims of voicemail interception cannot be part of Harry’s upcoming trial.
