Prince Harry slammed his longtime critic Piers Morgan after the remaining part of his phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers was settled earlier this month, saying that the former Mirror editor “knew perfectly well what was going on.”
Prince Harry finally settled his privacy claims against MGN, as his lawyer David Sherborne confirmed in court that MGN had accepted to pay the Duke of Sussex damages along with “all of the costs of his claim, including individual and common costs.” He also confirmed that MGN would make an interim payment towards the costs of £400,000.
Prince Harry’s latest victory comes two months after a judge found the publisher guilty of “widespread and habitual” hacking of the father-of-two’s cell phone. Back in December, Prince Harry was awarded £140,600 in damages after winning 15 claims against MGN. Last Friday’s settlement, which relates to claims of unlawful intrusion on 115 stories published between 1996 and 2010, marks the end of a four-year-battle between Prince Harry and MGN. According to the BBC, the publishers will pay all of the 39-year-old royal’s legal costs, as well as around £300,000 in damages.
MGN And Prince Harry Respond To The Settlement
Responding to the settlement, MGN made the following statement to the BBC: "We welcomed December's judgment that gave the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago. Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologize unreservedly, have taken full responsibility and paid compensation. We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which gives our business further clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago and for which we have apologized."
Outside the high court, Prince Harry provided his own statement read by Mr. Sherborne. "We have uncovered and proved the shockingly dishonest way in which the Mirror acted for so many years," the statement began. Prince Harry, who did not attend the hearing, said he would continue his "mission" of exposing what he called the corrupt practices of the tabloids. "I believe in the positive change it will bring for all of us," he concluded. "It's the very reason why I started this, and why I will continue to see it through to the end."
Justice Fancourt Says There Is Evidence Piers Morgan Was Aware Of Phone Hacking
Morgan, who was editor of The Mirror between 1995 and 2004, hasn't been employed by MGN for 20 years, and is not personally liable for any of the claims. He has previously denied any knowledge of any attempts by newspaper staff to hack phones, and did not play any part in the court proceedings. However, according to the New York Times, Judge Timothy Fancourt of London's High Court reportedly said there was evidence that Morgan was aware of hacking while at The Mirror.
As part of his statement read outside the high court by his lawyer, Prince Harry said "as editor" Piers Morgan "knew perfectly well what was going on" and that "even his own employer realized it simply could not call him as a witness of truth at the trial." He continued, saying that Morgan's "contempt for the court's ruling and his continued attacks ever since demonstrate why it was so important to obtain a clear and detailed judgment."
Give it a rest will you. Pleeeease. You’ve been rumbled as a liar.
— Jan Scott (@JanScottfromUK) February 9, 2024
Piers Morgan Reacts
On February 9th, Morgan took to X to joke about the situation, and wrote: "I totally agree with Prince Harry that ruthless intrusion into the private lives of the Royal Family for financial gain is utterly reprehensible… and I hope he stops doing it."
As expected, the Piers Morgan Uncensored host faced some criticism in the comments section of his post, with one X user saying: "Coming from the guy who knew 'nothing' about phone hacking…" "Oh do shut up @piersmorgan what a hypocrite you are!" exclaimed another, as someone else commented: "Ironic coming from you the king of phone hacking."
"Leave him alone @piersmorgan. You're much better than this," pleaded another user. "Literally do nothing but bash him and his missus 24/7, starting to feel the net closing in round you piers?" asked another, as another X user said: "Give it a rest will you. Pleeeease. You’ve been rumbled as a liar."
