Prince Harry settles privacy case against Sun publisher

Prince Harry has settled his legal case against the publisher of the Sun after it agreed to pay substantial damages and issued a “full and unequivocal apology” for “serious intrusion” into the Duke of Sussex’s private life between 1996 and 2011.

News Group Newspapers (NGN), which is owned by Rupert Murdoch, admitted “incidents of unlawful activities” were carried out by private investigators working for the Sun.

This marks the first time NGN has admitted wrongdoing against Prince Harry, even if it falls short of explicitly admitting unlawful activity by Sun journalists.

NGN also apologised to the Duke of Sussex for phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators “instructed by them” at the News of the World, the tabloid newspaper that closed in 2011.

NGN further apologised for the “extensive coverage” and “serious intrusion” into the private life of Princess Diana, the late mother of Prince Harry.

The settlement was announced moments before a High Court trial between Prince Harry and NGN was due to begin.

Prince Harry previously said he wanted the case to go to trial so he could get “accountability” for other alleged victims of unlawful newsgathering by NGN journalists.

The settlement means a part of the case concerning an alleged cover-up of unlawful behaviour by NGN chiefs, including allegations of substantial wrongdoing by CEO Rebekah Brooks, will no longer go ahead.

Brooks was cleared of criminal wrongdoing in 2014 and NGN has always maintained there was no cover-up.

The former Labour deputy leader, Lord Tom Watson, also settled with NGN.

NGN issued a “full and unequivocal apology” to Lord Watson for unwarranted intrusion into his private life by the News of the World between 2009 and 2011 – including placing him under surveillance. It has agreed to pay him substantial damages.

Speaking outside of court, David Sherborne, lawyer for Prince Harry and Lord Watson, said the settlement was a “monumental victory” and called for police investigations into NGN’s “illegal actions and its blatant disregard for the law”.

Lord Watson praised Prince Harry’s “bravery and astonishing courage”, and called on NGN’s owner Rupert Murdoch to make a “personal apology” to Prince Harry and King Charles.

Prince Harry has previously described changing the UK media landscape as his “life’s work”.

Here is NGN’s statement in full:

NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.

NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World.

NGN further apologises to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.

We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages. It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN's response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable.

NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to Lord Watson for the unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in Government by the News of the World during the period 2009-2011.

This includes him being placed under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News of the World and those instructed by them. NGN also acknowledges and apologises for the adverse impact this had on Lord Watson's family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.

In addition, in 2011 News International received information that information was being passed covertly to Lord Watson from within News International. We now understand that this information was false, and Lord Watson was not in receipt of any such confidential information. NGN apologises fully and unequivocally for this.

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