Prince Harry, Elton John Ordered to Pay £9.54 Million in Failed Daily Mail Lawsuit
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Prince Harry, King Charles's younger son, along with singer Elton John and five other prominent British figures, has been ordered to pay an initial £9.54 million (US$13 million) in legal costs after their privacy lawsuit against the Daily Mail's publisher was comprehensively rejected by a UK court. The seven claimants brought the case against Associated Newspapers, owner of the Daily Mail, Daily Mail on Sunday and Mail on Sunday, alleging unlawful information gathering including the installation of listening devices in their vehicles and homes. Judge Matthew Nicklin of the High Court issued his costs judgment on Friday, delivering what Associated Newspapers called 'another overwhelming victory for the Mail and its journalism'.
Key Points
- Seven claimants including Prince Harry, Elton John and five other public figures brought the case against Associated Newspapers
- They alleged the Daily Mail titles engaged in unlawful activities such as phone hacking and installed surveillance devices
- Judge Matthew Nicklin ordered interim payment of £9.54 million (US$13 million) towards Associated's £34.5 million legal bill
- The payment was ordered on an 'indemnity basis', meaning claimants must pay without Associated proving costs were proportionate
- Judge Nicklin criticized the claimants for 'speculative and inferential' allegations that were 'unreasonable to a high degree'
Why It Matters
This ruling represents a significant legal and financial setback for Prince Harry's ongoing campaign against the British press, having previously settled phone-hacking claims with Mirror Group publishers. The indemnity basis of the costs order means Harry and the others will face substantially higher payments than in standard legal costs disputes, while the court's strong criticism of their legal strategy may complicate any future appeals or similar claims against UK media organizations.
This ruling represents a significant legal and financial setback for Prince Harry's ongoing campaign against the British press, having previously settled phone-hacking claims with Mirror Group publishers. The indemnity basis of the costs order means Harry and the others will face substantially higher payments than in standard legal costs disputes, while the court's strong criticism of their legal strategy may complicate any future appeals or similar claims against UK media organizations.