Duke of Sussex one of six high-profile figures who accuse media company of unlawful information gathering
The Duke of Sussex has arrived at a central London court as he and six other prominent figures begin their legal battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail, alleging it used unlawful information gathering to secure stories.
Prince Harry headed to the high court to observe the opening of the case, which is expected to last 10 weeks. He is due to give evidence later this week and flew in from California on Sunday.
The duke is part of a group of high-profile figures, including Doreen Lawrence, the campaigning mother of Stephen Lawrence, who was killed in a racist murder more than 30 years ago. Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish, the actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, and the former Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes are also part of the action. Hurley and Frost were both in court for the hearing as well as the duke.
The claimants accuse Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, of hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, obtain private records through “blagging” and access private phone conversations. Associated denies all the allegations. It describes them as “lurid” and “preposterous smears”.
