LONDON: Britain’s Prince Harry and singer Elton John made a surprise appearance at London’s High Court on Monday as they and five others began a lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail paper over years of alleged phone-tapping and privacy breaches.
Harry, the younger son of King Charles, has brought a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers (ANL), along with John, and his husband David Furnish, as well as actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost. They allege they were victims of “numerous unlawful acts” carried out by journalists or private investigators working on behalf of ANL titles the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.
These included hacking mobile phone messages, bugging calls, getting private information such as medical records by deception or “blagging”, and “commissioning the breaking and entry into private property”, their lawyer David Sherborne said. The alleged activity ran from 1993 to 2011, and even up to 2018.
ANL, which is seeking to have the case thrown out, said in a statement it categorically denied the allegations and would vigorously defend them if necessary.
Harry, who flew in from his California home, sat just feet away from reporters, watching intently and taking notes. His spokesperson said he wanted to be there to show his support.
Elton John, Furnish, Frost and another claimant, Doreen Lawrence, mother of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a 1993 racist attack, were also in court on Monday. None of the claimants, who also included former lawmaker Simon Hughes, are expected to speak during the four-day preliminary hearing, which they were not required to attend. –Agencies
