Prince Harry’s lawyer provides fresh update after Duke of Sussex’s major U-turn
Prince Harry wants a public inquiry into tabloid phone hacking, his lawyer David Sherborne has revealed.
The Duke of Sussex is also seeking “a proper investigation by the police”, according to Mr Sherborne, who has represented him in various legal battles against newspapers.
“I think Harry achieved what he wanted to achieve as far as the process could take him,” Mr Sherborne told The News Agents podcast.
“What happens next is really for the authorities to decide and that’s what he wants.”
The Duke accepted an eight-figure financial settlement from News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, in January.
This eleventh-hour deal ended his legal action just as a trial was due to get under way and was seen as a major U-turn by the royal.
He had previously insisted that his sole goal was accountability rather than financial compensation.
Despite settling, the Duke hailed the outcome as a “monumental victory”.
NGN admitted unlawful activity by private investigators working for The Sun for the first time as part of the settlement.
Rupert Murdoch’s company also issued a 296-word statement apologising to the Duke.
The apology acknowledged “the impact of extensive coverage and serious intrusion” into Prince Harry’s private life.
It also referenced the intrusion into the private life of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
This admission was a key factor in the Duke considering the settlement a significant victory despite not proceeding to trial.
Lawyers for the Duke and fellow claimant Lord Watson are preparing a “dossier” of evidence for police to potentially launch a new investigation.
Mr Sherborne said the civil litigation had uncovered “all sorts of evidence” that police didn’t have during original trials.
“To my mind, there is a lot of evidence that hasn’t been investigated,” he said.
“I took it to the line as far as we can go. It’s then for the authorities or for Parliament to take it further.”
The lawyer admitted feeling “slightly disappointed” the high-profile trial never proceeded.
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Prince Harry won his claim against Mirror Group Newspapers in December 2023, when the High Court found his phone had been hacked.
At the time, he called on the Metropolitan Police to investigate, but more than 12 months on, the force has not responded.
A trial of his claims against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, is due to take place in January 2026.
The Duke is one of seven high-profile claimants, including Baroness Lawrence and Sir Elton John, suing the newspaper group over alleged misuse of private information.