Overview
- The High Court dismissed the claims by Prince Harry and six co‑claimants on Tuesday after an 11‑week trial, with Mr Justice Matthew Nicklin finding insufficient evidence that the Daily Mail publisher obtained material unlawfully.
- Nicklin accepted testimony from journalists denying illegal methods and said suspicion alone did not meet the civil standard where realistic lawful sourcing remained possible.
- Harry and Baroness Doreen Lawrence called the judgment “a complete and obvious whitewash” in a joint statement that accused the court of ignoring documentary evidence presented at trial.
- Associated Newspapers described the ruling as an “overwhelming victory” and said it will seek to recover its legal costs, with the parties due to return for separate hearings to determine cost recovery.
- The decision ends Harry’s final case against ANL, follows earlier successful claims against other publishers, has cost the parties tens of millions of pounds in legal fees, and has intensified scrutiny of his concurrent UK visit and a public row over palace accommodation and security.