Prince Harry testified before a British Court this week and said that years of being unaware of allegations of breaches of privacy committed by Associated Papers created a sense of paranoia and strained personal relationships.
The prince is one of several high-profile names suing Associated Papers, which owns the Daily Mail, over allegations of phone tapping and other invasions of privacy. The publisher has denied all allegations of wrongdoing in the case.
Prince Harry’s testimony was filed in written form and he said that he was not aware of the alleged invasions before 2019 when he sought legal counsel outside the royal family.
Harry and his wife, Meghan, have sued News Group Newspapers Limited and Associated Papers in recent years.
“Through investigating my claim, I have been made aware of extensive evidence of wrongdoing and subsequent cover-ups at Associated which demonstrates that, not only has it been acting outside the law, but it believes it is above it,” Harry said in his testimony. “I am determined to hold Associated accountable, for everyone’s sake.”
The prince said that his solicitors gained information from private investigators who worked for Associated Papers and admitted they used practices such as hacking voicemails, tapping landlines, and obtaining credit card statements. The targets were Harry, his friends, and any potential romantic partner in his life, he said.
The legal team for Harry has evidence that this began as early as 2001 and continued to at least 2013, according to his testimony.
Harry focused on the relentless coverage of him and his former girlfriend Chelsy Davy on holidays and how the leaked information created a “terrifying” situation for the former couple.
“Their behaviour and treatment of Chelsy was not normal,” Harry wrote. “I was scared that Chelsy was going to run in the opposite direction or be chased and harassed to death.”
Prince Harry is taking on the powerful UK press that even the Royal Family is scared of.
Hugh grand said "These big newspaper owners are living above the law….No one dares to take them on in Britain because they're so scared of them, especially politicians." pic.twitter.com/bMks03XetI
— Alexis( Trojan horse sowing discord in the west) (@ArchewellBaby) March 27, 2023
