Prince Harry to appear in new TV interview on phone hacking - details

Posted by Martina Birk on Thursday, August 29, 2024

    The Duke of Sussex has given a new sit-down interview as he appears in a documentary around phone hacking.

    Prince Harry, 39, will all discuss his "mission to continue his fight to expose the illegal tactics of Britain's tabloid press" in ITV's new programme, , which airs on 25 July.

    The Duke, who now resides in the US, will feature alongside Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church and Paul Gascoigne.

    ROYAL NEWS

    It marks Harry's first major interview since the conclusion of his court case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in February.

    The Duke sued the newspaper publisher for damages, claiming journalists at its publications were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called "blagging" – gaining information by deception – and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.

    In December, he was awarded £140,600 in damages after Mr Justice Fancourt concluded there was "extensive" phone hacking generally by MGN from 2006 to 2011, "even to some extent" during the Leveson Inquiry into media standards.

    A trial found 15 articles were the result of unlawful information gathering, and MGN and the Duke also settled the remainder of his claim in February with "a substantial additional sum by way of damages" and Harry's legal costs.

    The Duke's barrister, David Sherborne, shared a statement from Harry outside court, saying: "We have uncovered and proved the shockingly dishonest way in which the Mirror acted for so many years, and then sought to conceal the truth.

    "Our mission continues. I believe in the positive change it will bring for all of us. It is the very reason why I started this, and why I will continue to see it through to the end."

    WATCH: Harry's lawyer reads statement as Duke settles with Mirror Group Newspapers

    ITV said in a press release: "Featuring Prince Harry's first major interview since the conclusion of his court case with Mirror Group Newspapers, this documentary hears about his mission to continue his fight to expose the illegal tactics of Britain's tabloid press and explores what those in charge at Fleet Street really knew as this scandal unfolded."

    It added: "ITV News's Rebecca Barry meets high-profile celebrities including Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church and Paul Gascoigne as well as people catapulted into the public eye, whose lives were ripped apart by newspapers."

    Harry's legal cases

    The Duke is also one of a group of high-profile people, including Sir Elton John and Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, bringing legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail over allegations it carried out or commissioned unlawful information-gathering.

    They have accused Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) of allegedly carrying out or commissioning unlawful activities such as hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, "blagging" private records, burglaries to order and accessing and recording private phone conversations.

    ANL has firmly denied the allegations. The legal claims are in the preliminary stages.

    Meanwhile, Harry's claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World over alleged unlawful information-gathering but not allegations of phone hacking, is set for a full trial in January 2025.

    NGN has previously denied unlawful activity took place at The Sun.

    LISTEN: Inside the monarch's relationship with the PM

    LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!

    If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…

    What is it?

    Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal.

    Member benefits

    • Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
    • Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
    • Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
    • Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
    • Royal-themed puzzles with a weekly prize to be won
    • Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
    • Invitations to in-person and virtual events
    • A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
    • Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits

    By royal decree

    You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!

    Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage

    By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbHLpaammZeWx6q6xGeaqKVfp7y6rcutsGhvYGqBc4GOqamippOaeqmt0auwZqymYravwMSrraKdp2K9qbvNnmShmZOgtq%2Bzjg%3D%3D