Prince gets full apology’ as he settles case against NGN

Lawyers described the settlement as a monumental victory’

- ATHENA STAVROU

Prince Harry has secured a full apology and substantial damages from the publisher of The Sun after settling his claim over allegations of unlawful information-gathering. The Duke of Sussex, 40, alleged that journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN) – which also published the now-defunct News of the World – had unlawfully targeted him.

Yesterday, his barrister confirmed that the parties had “reached an agreement”, with NGN offering an “unequivocal apology” and agreeing to pay “substantial damages”, reportedly an “eightfigure” sum.

Delivering a scathing rebuke on the steps of the High Court, Harry’s barrister, David Sherborne, described the settlement as a “monumental victory”. He declared: “The lies are laid bare, the cover-ups are exposed, and today proves that no one is above the law.” Mr Sherborne excoriated NGN for its “illegal actions and blatant disregard for the law”, claiming that the publisher had resisted accountability for years.

A trial of up to 10 weeks was set to begin on Tuesday, but three requests for adjournments and a Court of Appeal bid meant that the case remained unopened.