Overview
- The nine‑week High Court trial opened with Prince Harry present as his counsel alleged a “clear, systematic and sustained” pattern of unlawful information gathering at Mail titles.
- Seven claimants are suing, including Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Sir Simon Hughes, with Harry’s claim centering on 14 articles from 2001 to 2013.
- Opening submissions accused the publisher of tactics such as phone hacking, blagging of private records, bugging cars and homes, and the destruction of pre‑2004 documents.
- Associated Newspapers rejected the claims as “preposterous,” saying articles were lawfully sourced from contacts and representatives, and disputing any phone tapping or hacking.
- Judge‑only proceedings before Mr Justice Nicklin continue this week, with Harry due to give evidence on Thursday and conflicting private‑investigator statements set to be examined.