The key developments in this legal battle include:
Serious Accusations: ANL’s legal team has accused Prince Harry’s lawyers of "dishonesty, fraud, and conspiracy". These "exceptionally serious" claims allege that members of the claimants' legal team were involved in a "scheme of camouflage" to conceal when certain claimants first became aware of potential claims, thereby attempting to bypass statute-of-limitation deadlines.
Witness Tampering Allegations: A key witness, private investigator Gavin Burrows, claimed he was being intimidated by the prince's legal team and their associates to prevent him from testifying. Burrows also alleged that a 2021 witness statement—where he supposedly admitted to hacking—was a forgery "prepared by others" without his knowledge.
Fabricated Evidence Claims: The defense further alleged that a solicitor and researcher for the claimants "deliberately and fraudulently created a 'misleading email chain'" and that payments were made to witnesses in exchange for sworn evidence.
Court Ruling: In response to these claims, Mr. Justice Nicklin ruled that ANL must amend its opening written submissions. He noted that the "camouflage scheme" allegations went beyond standard attacks on witness credibility and reached the level of unpleaded accusations of serious professional misconduct.
Trial Schedule: Despite these explosive pre-trial claims, the nine-week trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 19, 2026. Prince Harry is expected to personally fly to London to give evidence on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The lawsuit is a joint claim brought by Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and four other high-profile figures, who allege ANL used private investigators to bug cars and homes to obtain private information.
