High Court hears claims of phone hacking and deception as Duke of Sussex attends opening day of trial
The Duke of Sussex arrived at London’s High Court smiling and waving as the long-awaited privacy trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail got underway.
In opening submissions on Monday, lawyers acting for the Duke of Sussex, Elton John, and several other public figures accused Associated Newspapers of being complicit in years of unlawful information gathering.
The claimants allege they were victims of systematic phone hacking, surveillance and deception by journalists working for Mail titles from the early 1990s until at least 2011. Associated, which publishes the Daily Mail, strongly denies the accusations.
In a witness statement quoted in court, the Duke of Sussex said it was “disturbing” to feel that his “every move, thought or feeling” was being tracked simply so the Mail could make money.
Associated dismissed the case as a series of “preposterous smears”, insisting its journalists relied on legitimate sources, including what it described as “leaky” celebrity social circles. The publisher also claims the lawsuit is part of a coordinated effort by wealthy individuals motivated by hostility towards the media.
According to Reuters, the nine-week trial could cost tens of millions of pounds and may open a new chapter in the long-running legal scrutiny of British press practices.
Alongside the Duke of Sussex and John, the claimants include John’s husband David Furnish, actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost, anti-racism campaigner Doreen Lawrence, and former MP Simon Hughes. Several attended the first day in person, while others joined remotely.
Their lawyer, David Sherborne, told the court there was “clear, systematic and sustained” use of unlawful methods, including voicemail hacking, bugging phones and blagging private information.
Examples cited included journalists obtaining precise travel details of the Duke of Sussex’s former girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and reports based on private conversations between the Duke of Sussex and his brother Prince William about images of their late mother Princess Diana.
Associated’s titles were not previously central to the UK phone-hacking scandal. However, the claimants say current and former senior figures at the publisher were involved, including Victoria Newton, now editor of The Sun. Associated maintains that articles written by Newton were legitimately sourced.
Sherborne said any ruling against Associated would be a “catastrophe” for the publisher, given years of firm denials, particularly those made by former editor Paul Dacre at a public inquiry.
Associated argues it obtained information lawfully, through press officers, publicists and social contacts, and says evidence from former private investigators cannot be trusted.
For the Duke of Sussex, the case marks what he has described as the final chapter in his legal fight with the British tabloids. He has already won damages against Mirror Group Newspapers and secured an apology from News UK after it settled a separate case.
He is expected to give evidence later this week.
