HARRY AT COURT FOR HIS HIGH STAKES GAMBLE

HE ACCUSES MEDIA OF HAVING ‘BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS’ IN PRIVACY FIGHT

- Tristan Kirk

PRINCE HARRY today accused journalists and editors of having “blood on their hands” as he began his landmark High Court evidence in his privacy battle against a tabloid newspaper group.

The Duke of Sussex, 38, is suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over claims that his phone was systematically hacked and he was subjected to media intrusion and unlawful newsgathering techniques for more than 15 years. He claims the activities of three newspapers, the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People, wrecked friendships and romantic relationships and sent him into a spiral of depression. Harry said he decided to pursue his legal claim against MGN at the High Court “to hold people to account for what they have done, so that they can’t hide behind their own institution or organisation”.

Accusing the publisher of a “cover-up” over phone hacking and widespread unlawful activities, Harry called tabloid newspapers the “mothership of online trolling”. “Trolls react and mobilise to stories they create”, he said. “People have died as a result, and people will continue to kill themselves by suicide when they can’t see any other way out. How much more blood will stain their typing fingers before someone can put a stop to this madness?” Asked in court to clarify the statement, Harry said he was referring to “journalists and editors” responsible for stories that were printed.

Harry swore an oath on the Bible at the start of his evidence, before his barrister David Sherborne clarified how he should be referred to.