Murdoch’s newspapers settle with Prince Harry, issue hacking apology

In a statement, News Group said it has implemented safeguards to prevent future misconduct and described the settlement as “drawing a line under the past”.

The context: The settlement included undisclosed damages, and News Group's apology for “unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun” between 1996 and 2011, and for “phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them” at the now defunct News of the World.

News Group also apologised for intrusions into the private life of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.

The case forms part of a broader scandal spanning more than a decade involving Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers, which has faced over 1,300 claims related to phone hacking and other unlawful practices.

The settlement avoids a trial that could have scrutinised the role of senior executives and revealed the royal family’s dealings with the media.

Harry alleged that News Group executives destroyed evidence to cover up their actions, a charge the company denies.

The case also drew parallels to other high-profile hacking settlements, including actor Hugh Grant’s, highlighting the financial and legal challenges faced by individuals taking on large media corporations.

What they said: "In a monumental victory today, News UK have admitted that The Sun, the flagship title for Rupert Murdoch’s UK media empire, has indeed engaged in illegal practices," Harry and Watson said in a statement read by their lawyer David Sherborne outside the High Court.

“Today the lies are laid bare. Today, the cover-ups are exposed. And today proves that no one stands above the law. The time for accountability has arrived.”

“The rule of law must now run its full course. Prince Harry and Tom Watson join others in calling for the police and parliament to investigate not only the unlawful activity now finally admitted, but the perjury and coverups along the way. It is clear now that this has occurred throughout this process, including through sworn evidence in inquiries and court hearings, in testimony to parliament and until today’s final collapse of News Group’s defence,” he said.

“After endless resistance, denials and legal battles by News Group Newspapers, including spending more than a billion pounds in payouts and in legal costs, as well as paying off those in the know in order to prevent the full picture from coming out, News UK is finally held to account for its illegal actions and its blatant disregard for the law.”

News Group Newspapers apology read: “NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities 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 instructed by them at the News of the World.”

“NGN further apologises to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years. We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages. It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN's response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable.”