In a surprising conclusion to well-publicized proceedings, Piers Morgan, the former editor of the Daily Mirror, adamantly denied involvement in phone hacking, following a High Court ruling that found him to be aware of such activities. His statement came after Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was awarded approximately $170,800 (£140,600) in damages against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) for phone hacking.
The court heard substantial evidence implicating Morgan in the illegal practice. Witnesses, including a former intern, testified to overhearing discussions about accessing voicemail tip-offs, particularly relating to public figures like Kylie Minogue. Despite these allegations, Morgan maintained his stance, stating he never hacked a phone or instructed anyone to do so.
Prince Harry’s legal victory marks a significant moment in his ongoing battle against unethical journalistic practices. His lawyer, David Sherborne, emphasized that editors, including Morgan, were clearly aware of the hacking. The court accepted evidence from royal author Omid Scobie that Morgan had knowledge of voicemail interception.
The trial highlighted the extent of phone hacking at MGN, with the High Court ruling indicating that 15 of the 33 articles examined were derived from unlawful information gathering. This includes stories about Harry’s personal life and relationships.
The ruling also shed light on the broader issue of phone hacking in British tabloids, which has been a subject of public and legal scrutiny for years. The judge’s findings suggest that these practices were not only widespread but also known to senior executives within MGN. This includes periods during the infamous Leveson Inquiry into press standards, indicating a continued disregard for lawful news gathering methods.
Morgan, who helmed the Daily Mirror from 1995 to 2004, used his statement to critique Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, accusing them of attempting to undermine the British monarchy. His remarks follow the duke’s accusation of “vendetta journalism” against the Mirror publisher.
This case is part of a broader narrative of Prince Harry’s legal confrontations with British tabloids. It represents a notable victory for the Duke in his quest for media accountability and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public figures in preserving their privacy against tabloid intrusion.
