LONDON (Reuters) – Prince Harry has settled his lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN) over alleged illegal information gathering, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Harry’s lawyer said the deal was reached after NGN agreed to pay significant damages and admitted that Harry, the younger son of Britain’s King Charles, was the victim of illegal activity by the Sun and suffered phone hacking by the News of The. World.
Harry and former High Representative Tom Watson were the prosecutors in the case.
Below is the text of NGN’s apology to the plaintiffs:
“NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for The Sun’s serious interference in his private life between 1996 and 2011, including incidents of illegal activity carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.
NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators they referred to the News of the World.
NGN further apologizes to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life, as well as that of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, particularly during his younger years.
We accept and apologize for the distress the duke has caused and the damage to relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial compensation.
It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that the NGN’s response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions was deplorable.
NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to Lord Watson for the unjustified intrusion into his private life during his time in government by the News of the World between 2009 and 2011.
These include that in 2009 he was placed under surveillance by News of the World journalists and those referred by them. NGN also acknowledges and apologizes for the negative impact this has had on Lord Watson’s family and has agreed to pay him substantial compensation.
In addition, in 2011, News International received information that information was being secretly passed to Lord Watson of News International. We now understand that this information was false and that Lord Watson did not receive such confidential information. NGN fully and unequivocally apologizes for this.”
