Agreement between Prince Harry and Rupert Murdoch: compensation and apology for wiretapping scandal

News Group Newspapers admits responsibility and apologises to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking. A years-long legal battle ends with compensation and a historic admission of guilt

Peace made between Prince Harry and Rupert Murdoch. After years of legal battles, the parties reached an agreement today, 22 January, that puts an end to one of the most controversial lawsuits in recent times. News Group Newspapers (NGN), owned by the tycoon Murdoch, admitted responsibility and publicly apologised to the Duke of Sussex for the hacking of his phone and the misuse of private information. The settlement includes significant financial compensation for the damage suffered, although the amount has not been made public.

Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, called this conclusion ‘a huge victory’, stressing that the case represents vindication for all victims of illegal journalistic practices. ‘Today the lies have been exposed and it is proven that no one is above the law. News Group Newspapers has finally been held accountable for its illegal actions,’ Sherborne said, praising the resilience of the prince.

NGN allegedly illegally hired more than 100 private investigators for more than 35,000 transactions over a period of at least 16 years, involving both the tabloid The Sun and the defunct The News of the World. Top management was fully aware of these activities, which included wiretapping, surveillance and a vast conspiracy to cover up after one of their royal correspondents was arrested in 2006.

The allegations are very serious: Sherborne revealed that NGN allegedly deleted more than 30 million compromising e-mails and made false statements under oath. The settlement comes just on the eve of a planned trial at the High Court in London, which was suspended after numerous attempts at conciliation.

This is not the first time a prominent figure has reached a settlement with NGN. Actor Hugh Grant had in turn settled a similar case last April, avoiding a lengthy trial and the associated legal costs, estimated at over £10 million.

The prince’s lawyer called on the British authorities to investigate these illegal practices, suggesting that stronger action is needed to ensure transparency and ethics in the news industry. For Prince Harry, this victory is not just a personal vindication, but a step towards collective responsibility for an industry that has for too long acted outside the rules.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)