Prince Harry trial – latest: Phone hacking claim looks at 147 articles on Duke of Sussex

Third day of Duke of Sussex’s trial against Mirror publisher is underway

Piers Morgan says he refuses to take ‘lectures on privacy’ from Prince Harry

As the third day of Prince Harry’s hearing against the Mirror Group Newspapers (MGM) resumed today, the court heard that there are 147 articles on the Duke of Sussex involved.

Discussing Harry’s case, his lawyer David Sherborne said out of the 147 articles, 33 are being examined in the trial - in his claim.

He said: “The Duke of Sussex, one of the most prominently covered individuals by the defendant’s titles... [MGN]’s case is throughout the entire period... there was only one occasion of unlawful information gathering.”

In written submissions, Mr Sherborne said the duke’s claim covered the period 1995 to 2011 and is “significant not just in terms of the span but also the range of activities”.

The barrister previously alleged that those responsible for management and finances of the company “were well aware of what was going on”.

The claims brought forward by four individuals, including Harry, include phone hacking, securing information through deception - also known as “blagging” - and hiring private investigators for unlawful activities.

Key Points

• Phone hacking claim looks at 147 articles on Duke of Sussex
• Unlawful gathering of information made with ‘sense of outrage,’ court hears
• Piers Morgan says ‘I wouldn’t even know how to hack a phone’
• Former Mirror editor 'lies at heart’ of claims against Mirror, court told
• Front page Mirror story about late Queen’s cousin ‘was obtained illegally’

[12 May 2023 13:45 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Prince Harry blames Mirror group for Chelsy Davy breakup

In case you missed it...

Prince Harry has blamed the allegedly unlawful information gathering activities carried out at the Mirror group for his break-up with Chelsy Davy, the High Court heard.

The duke is among several high-profile individuals bringing damage claims against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) titles, which began on Wednesday (10 May) and is expected to last seven weeks.

MGN, publisher of titles including The Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, is contesting the claims —arguing that some have been brought too late.

[12 May 2023 14:33 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Mirror Group Newspaper claims not enough enough of ‘voicemail interception,’ court hears

Some allegations of unlawful information gathering against The Mirror’s publisher in a case featuring the Duke of Sussex are made with a “sense of outrage”, the High Court has heard.

Claims brought by four individuals, including Harry, against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) titles The Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, entered their third day of a trial on Friday.

The claims include phone hacking, securing information through deception - also known as “blagging” - and hiring private investigators for unlawful activities.

MGN is contesting the cases and has said there is “no evidence, or no sufficient evidence, of voicemail interception in any of these four claims”.

Opening the publisher’s case, Andrew Green KC, for MGN, said some of the allegations were made with “no basis”.

“Many of the allegations highlighted were made with a sense of outrage,” he continued.

[12 May 2023 18:33 · Sam Rkaina]

‘Simply no evidence’ for many Mirror phone hacking claims

There is “simply no evidence” for many of the claims of phone hacking by Mirror newspapers, the High Court has heard.

A lawyer for Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) further argued that a “very substantial proportion” of the articles involved in the case were at “a breathtaking level of triviality”.

Claims brought by four individuals, including Prince Harry, against MGN titles The Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, entered their third day of a trial on Friday.

The claims include phone hacking, securing information through deception – also known as “blagging” – and hiring private investigators for unlawful activities.

Opening the publisher’s case, Andrew Green KC, for MGN, said some of the allegations were made with “no basis”.

Click here for the full story on Friday’s hearing.

Prince Harry’s ghostwriter recalls ‘frenzied’ response to Spare’s publication (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror/PA Wire) (PA Wire)

[12 May 2023 18:43 · Sam Rkaina]

We’re pausing our live coverage of the trial for the evening but join us again next week when the case resumes.