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Harry, the son of King Charles, was joined by singer Elton John,
his husband David Furnish, actors Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley,
campaigner Doreen Lawrence, whose son was murdered in a racist
attack, and former lawmaker Simon Hughes, at court on Monday for
the start of a four-day preliminary hearing in their case
against Associated Newspapers.
They allege they were the victims of "numerous unlawful acts"
carried out by journalists or private investigators working on
behalf of Associated titles, the Daily Mail and the Mail on
Sunday.
These include the hacking of mobile phone messages, the bugging
of phone calls, obtaining private information by deception or "blagging",
and "commissioning the breaking and entry into private property"
over a possible 25-year period, according to their lawyers and
court documents.
Associated categorically denies the allegations. It is seeking
to have the case thrown out, arguing the claims fall outside a
time limit for legal action, and that some breach an order made
during a year-long public inquiry into press standards which
began in 2011.
In a statement late on Monday, it said that a private
investigator, whose evidence had provided a key part of the case
brought by Harry and the other claimants, had now signed a
witness statement denying the allegations he had made to their
lawyers. His statement said he now denied acting illegally on
behalf of Associated.
The lawsuit is one of three cases in which the British prince is
involved at the High Court. He is also suing the Mail for libel
and is expected to appear as a witness in May to give evidence
in a trial against the Daily Mirror newspaper over accusations
of phone-hacking.
(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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