Overview
- Mr Justice Nicklin ordered targeted document disclosure and resolution of outstanding issues by January 2 ahead of a nine‑week High Court trial starting January 14, 2026.
- The claim by the Duke of Sussex and six others alleges Associated Newspapers Limited commissioned unlawful tactics such as car bugging, blagging of records and access to private phone conversations.
- ANL says the allegations are ‘preposterous’ and ‘lurid’ and confirms it will defend the case.
- Emails disclosed in court showed private investigator Glenn Mulcaire was subjected to ‘threats’ by researchers working for the claimants and referenced ‘weekly money,’ with the judge noting any inducements could undermine the evidence base.
- Private investigators Jonathan Rees and Gavin Burrows have publicly challenged earlier accounts cited by the claimants, introducing live disputes about witness reliability before trial; the claimant group includes Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Simon Hughes, Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley.