Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) has admitted to “some evidence of the instruction of third parties to engage in other types of unlawful information gathering” in the Prince Harry hacking trial. In its defense, MGN denied allegations of voicemail interception and said some challenges were brought beyond the legal time limit.
However, MGN unreservedly apologized for all instances of unlawful information gathering and warranted compensation. The publisher also admitted to using a private investigator to gather information about Prince Harry at a nightclub in 2004.
Representing MGN, Andrew Green KC said the apology was not made with the tactical objective of reducing damages but because such conduct should never have occurred. David Sherborne, representing Prince Harry and other individuals bringing claims against MGN, alleged in court that the use of unlawful information gathering was “habitual and widespread” and authorized by senior editors, including Piers Morgan.
The alleged phone hacking of Prince Harry, which included missed and hung-up calls from unknown numbers, posed a security risk to him, his family, and his associates. Prince Harry is expected to give evidence to the High Court in June, along with other claimants.
