Overview
- A nine-week High Court trial begins Monday in London over alleged unlawful information-gathering by Associated Newspapers dating back to the 1990s.
- A draft timetable lists Harry for a full day in the witness box on Jan. 22, with testimony from Elton John, Liz Hurley, Doreen Lawrence and others to follow.
- Lawyers said Elton John and David Furnish plan to give evidence remotely in February, while Elizabeth Hurley is scheduled to appear the week after Harry.
- At a pre-trial hearing, Mr Justice Matthew Nicklin required ANL to amend parts of its opening after it advanced a “camouflage scheme” theory and other serious allegations of dishonesty.
- ANL denies wrongdoing and calls the accusations “preposterous smears”; UK media report no meeting is planned with King Charles during Harry’s visit, and a Home Office threat assessment for his security is reportedly under way.