Prince Harry loses privacy case against Daily Mail publisher

The High Court of London has dismissed all claims in a high-profile privacy lawsuit brought by Prince Harry, Elton John, and five other public figures against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Judge Matthew Nicklin ruled on July 7 that the claimants failed to prove that the newspapers had obtained private information through illegal means such as phone hacking, voicemail interception, or hiring private investigators.

The ruling

Judge Nicklin stated that the allegations were serious but that "suspicion, however understandable, is not a substitute for evidence." He rejected the argument that simply because information was private and ANL could not explain how it was obtained, it must have been illicit. The court also found that the claims were brought outside the statutory time limit without adequate justification Source: CNN, hoydo.

Reactions

ANL described the verdict as "a resounding victory for the Daily Mail and its journalists, and for press freedom in general." The company said it would seek reimbursement of legal costs Source: excelsiormx. Prince Harry, in a joint statement with Doreen Lawrence, accused the court of a "total and obvious cover-up," stating that the decision represented a "radical departure" from similar successful cases he had previously won Source: diariolibree.

Context

Harry is currently in London for a week of Invictus Games events, but his visit has been overshadowed by the legal defeat and confusion over accommodation at Buckingham Palace, which was reportedly withdrawn due to a late response Source: infobae. This case is the latest in Harry's legal battle against the British tabloid press, following victories against Mirror Group Newspapers and a settlement with News Group Newspapers.