Prince Harry's Claim Heads to Trial: Sun and News Group Newspapers Accused of Illegal Information Gathering

Summary:

• Parts of Prince Harry's claim alleging illegal information gathering by news group newspapers will proceed to trial, while phone hacking claims were dismissed.
• The court case is expected to begin in January and may extend into 2025, promising a lengthy and complex legal battle.
• Prince Harry aims to prove that certain stories were obtained through private investigators' use, a serious allegation strongly denied by the papers' publishers.
• The trial will shed light on media practices, privacy concerns, and the conduct of journalists and executives involved.
• The case will be a civil action relying on the balance of probability to establish guilt or innocence, not a criminal trial.

A judge has ruled that parts of Prince Harry's claim against news group newspapers, alleging illegal methods of gathering information about him, will proceed to trial. The Duke of Sussex has accused private investigators and journalists working for the Sun and the News of the World of using unlawful means to obtain information on him. While the phone hacking claims were dismissed, the court case is expected to delve into the allegations, with the trial set to begin in January.

The court case is shaping up to be a significant legal battle, as Prince Harry seeks to prove that certain stories about him were obtained through the use of private investigators. The former royal correspondent at the Sun, Charles Ray, remarked that the ruling was a partial victory for the Sun, as the phone hacking element was thrown out. However, the allegations of unlawful information gathering remain a serious matter to be addressed in the civil action before a judge.

Charles Ray also questioned the term 'targeting' used in reference to journalists covering members of the royal family. He emphasized that legitimate means of news gathering involve finding sources linked to the royal family and seeking comments from them through proper channels. He pointed out that direct contact with high-ranking members of the royal family was usually made through their press office.

The upcoming trial, which is anticipated to extend into 2025, will provide a platform for all evidence and testimonies to be aired in the open. It will not be a criminal case, but rather a civil action relying on the balance of probability to establish guilt or innocence. The central issue will revolve around whether unlawful information gathering occurred and the extent of journalists' involvement with private investigators.

Prince Harry's allegations have far-reaching implications, with potential revelations about the conduct of journalists and executives involved. The trial promises to be a protracted and complex affair, casting a spotlight on media practices and privacy concerns in high-profile cases. As the court date approaches, anticipation grows as to the evidence Prince Harry will present to substantiate his claims.

As the legal proceedings loom on the horizon, the public awaits the upcoming trial with great interest, knowing that it will bring to light crucial information about the practices of media organizations and the boundaries of information gathering. For Prince Harry, it is a chance to assert his claims and seek justice for what he perceives as an invasion of his privacy. For the Sun and News Group Newspapers, it will be a time of defense and scrutiny, as they deny the allegations and face the consequences of a trial that will have reverberations throughout the media landscape.