Associated Newspapers has issued a strongly worded statement criticising Prince Harry and the other claimants involved in their legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
The Duke of Sussex could face a significant legal bill as the court considers how costs should be divided following the case over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
Mr Justice Matthew Nicklin is expected to hear arguments from both sides on July 29 and July 30 before deciding how much each party may be required to pay.
According to Newsweek, insurance could cover part of the claimants’ expenses, although a substantial amount may still be owed to the opposing side.
In a statement shared with the publication, Associated Newspapers’ legal team argued that many of the individual claims had been brought without sufficient documentary evidence.
“The Claimants’ individual cases were pursued for the most part without any supporting documentary evidence and on the barest inferential basis,” the statement said.
The publisher also accused the claimants’ legal representatives of making serious allegations against its witnesses without providing advance notice or an adequate evidential foundation.
Associated Newspapers further claimed that some accusations, including allegations of perjury involving three senior executives, were either not put fully to witnesses or were not formally withdrawn.
“All of this was done with the benefit of absolute privilege and in the glare of full publicity, courted by and on the Claimants’ behalf,” the statement concluded.
Prince Harry is one of several high-profile figures involved in the proceedings. The other claimants include Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence and former politician Sir Simon Hughes.
Paul Dacre, the former editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail, has also spoken out against the case. He reportedly described the allegations as part of a “conspiracy” to damage or destroy the newspaper.
Dacre is understood to be pushing for the claimants to cover as much of Associated Newspapers’ legal costs as possible.
The final amount owed by each party will depend on the judge’s ruling after the upcoming costs hearing.
