The Duke of Sussex has partly won his hacking claim against the Mirror Group Newspaper and has been accorded £140,600 in damages.
High Court judge, Justice Fancourt ruled that 15 of the 33 articles examined involved phone-hacking, with his personal phone being targeted between 2003 and 2009.
He also ruled that ex-Mirror CEO, Sly Bailey was aware of the hacks and “turned a blind eye”.
A very important court victory today for #PrinceHarry against the Mirror papers. But at least as important is the finding that three top execs of the time – Sly Bailey, Paul Vickers and Marcus Partington – all knew phone hacking was going on. That's not what they said.
— Brian Cathcart (@BrianCathcart) December 15, 2023
Prince Harry sued for alleged unlawful information gathering, claiming journalists at the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People used phone-hacking or “blagging” and the use of private investigators for unlawful activities.
He said between 1996 to 2010, 147 stories published by Mirror Group Newspaper titles, used information that was obtained through unlawful means.
Many have taken to social media to express their joy over the Duke’s victory, with some calling it a “full victory”.
Today's judgement lays bare the extraordinary cover-up which has taken place at Mirror Group Newspapers over the last two decades
— Hacked Off (@hackinginquiry) December 15, 2023
Huge victory today not just for Prince Harry but for justice in the face of the wicked practice of phone hacking by elements of the tabloid press
— Matthew Stadlen (@MatthewStadlen) December 15, 2023
Prince Harry has done more for this country than most royals. Incredible public duty to take on the press and those individuals who act unlawfully and immorally. We are nothing, without a fair, free and open press. Harry, thank you.
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) December 15, 2023
What's the chance Piers Morgan, the former editor of the Mirror who has maintained Prince Harry and Meghan as targets of HATE for years, will now be prosecuted for having lied under oath? The judge today was clear that Morgan did know about the hacking and that means Morgan LIED.
— 𝕵𝖔𝖍𝖓, 𝕰𝖆𝖗𝖑 𝖔𝖋 𝕭𝖚𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙 (@JohninBucuresti) December 15, 2023
History will remember #PrinceHarry as a man of substance, a leader who is not afraid to speak out against what he believes is detrimental to society
— Mc-Moseh (@Maamasboy) December 15, 2023
Lawyers of the Mirror Group had said the allegations were “entirely speculative”, but in a statement now say, “we welcome today’s judgment that gives the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago.
“Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologise unreservedly, have taken full responsibility and paid appropriate compensation.”
The seven-week trial is the biggest court ruling so far amongst all in Prince Harry’s allegations of phone hacking against him.
