Prince Harry suffered a setback in his privacy lawsuit against The Sun tabloid’s publisher, as a judge ruled he couldn’t expand the case to include allegations against Rupert Murdoch and other executives. Despite this, the Duke of Sussex was permitted to include claims of phone tapping and other unlawful methods used by journalists and private investigators.
The ruling was described as a split victory, with the defense gaining an edge on certain issues. The judge ordered Harry and other claimants to pay a portion of the costs incurred by the publisher during litigation.
News Group, the publisher, welcomed the decision stating it vindicated their position on excluding irrelevant allegations. The claimants, on the other hand, were pleased that many of their proposed amendments were approved.
The ongoing battle against British tabloids has seen other celebrities, including actor Hugh Grant, settle similar lawsuits. Harry’s fight for privacy continues, with a pending case against the owner of the Daily Mail and a successful trial against Mirror Group Newspapers.
Despite the legal battles, both sides claimed victory in the recent ruling as they prepare for a trial scheduled for early next year.