Britain’s media minister, Lucy Frazer, announced on Friday that she had given permission for documents submitted to a public inquiry to be used by lawyers representing Prince Harry, Elton John, and others in their lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
This decision comes after the claimants were granted permission in December to proceed to trial over allegations of phone hacking and privacy breaches dating back three decades.
While the publisher, Associated Newspapers, denies the accusations, the claimants sought access to ledgers documenting payments to private investigators, which were disclosed during a previous public inquiry into press standards.
Frazer stated that the documents would be released solely for the purpose of this case, emphasizing that the decision does not reflect on the merits of the proceedings, which remain the prerogative of the courts.
This development marks a significant step forward for the claimants in their legal battle against the Daily Mail publisher.
The lawsuit against Associated Newspapers is just one of several legal actions Prince Harry has been involved in at the High Court in London. Earlier this week, he lost a legal challenge against the British government’s decision to withdraw his police protection while in the UK, indicating his intention to appeal.
Reports suggest he faces a substantial legal bill as a result. Additionally, Prince Harry has successfully sued other media outlets over phone hacking and privacy infringements, demonstrating his commitment to holding the press accountable for unlawful activities.
Frazer’s decision to allow the use of inquiry documents in the lawsuit underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in media practices, particularly regarding privacy breaches. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome will likely have broader implications for media ethics and privacy rights in the UK.
