Prince Harry May Need to Settle Lawsuit After Hugh Grant’s Agreement with Murdoch’s Tabloid, Lawyer Suggests
British actor Hugh Grant has reached a settlement in his lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper, The Sun, while Prince Harry’s lawyer indicated that the royal might be similarly compelled to settle, according to CBC.
Hugh Grant was among those suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) for alleged illegal information gathering practices, which included tapping, burglary, and obtaining confidential information deceitfully. Grant decided to settle due to the financial risks posed by potential legal costs, despite his claims of the publisher’s wrongdoing. He expressed on social media that, paradoxically, NGN offered him a substantial sum to avoid court proceedings, despite their claims of innocence.
Grant, well-known for his roles in major films and a vocal advocate for press reform, highlighted the dilemma of accepting a settlement now versus facing steep legal costs later—even if victorious at trial. David Sherborne, representing both Grant and Prince Harry, stated in a High Court hearing that Prince Harry faces a similar situation where the financial implications of continuing the suit could force a settlement.
NGN maintains its stance of non-liability, having settled numerous cases over the years without admitting wrongdoing. This strategy might reduce the likelihood of these issues being fully contested in court, although Prince Harry’s case remains unresolved. Sherborne noted that the ongoing legal battles continue to expose the pressures on claimants against large media entities like NGN.
This situation underscores the complexities celebrities and public figures face when challenging powerful media outlets, where the costs of legal victory can outweigh the benefits of clearing one’s name or standing against perceived injustices.
For anyone who has been interested in my lawsuit against the Sun, the news is that I’ve had to settle my claim out of court before it gets to trial. A 🧵…
— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) April 17, 2024
News Group are claiming they are entirely innocent of the things I had accused the Sun of doing – phone hacking, unlawful information gathering, landline tapping, the burglary of my flat and office, the bugging of my car, the illegal blagging of medical records, lies, perjury and…
— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) April 17, 2024