The incident in question involved a private investigator who was paid £75 ($95) by another tabloid owned by the same group to gather information about the Duke of Sussex while he was at a nightclub in London in 2004. Mirror Group Newspapers admitted that this payment "represented an instruction to engage in [unlawful information gathering]."
Harry, along with three other claimants representing numerous celebrities, is suing Mirror Group Newspapers for obtaining private information through phone hacking and other illicit means between 1991 and 2011. Mirror Group Newspapers is disputing most of the allegations, arguing that some of the claims have been filed too late and that there is insufficient evidence of phone hacking in all four cases.
Harry and his wife Meghan have filed at least seven lawsuits against British and American media organizations since 2019, including News Group Newspapers, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch and publishes The Sun. They have accused British tabloids of violating their privacy and publishing false stories.
David Sherborne, Harry's lawyer, stated that his claim against Mirror Group Newspapers, which covers incidents from 1995 to 2011, is significant due to the length of time and range of activities it covers. He added that Harry was subjected to the most intrusive methods of obtaining personal information, and argued that "no one should be subjected to that." The trial, which is expected to last seven weeks, will also review claims made by other individuals.
A spokesperson for Mirror Group Newspapers issued a statement apologizing "unreservedly" for any historical wrongdoing and stating that the group has taken "full responsibility" where necessary. The statement added that the company is now committed to acting with integrity and wishes to move on from past events. The trial's opening arguments are expected to continue until Friday, and Harry is set to give evidence himself in June.
