The Duke's Vow to Expose 'Illegal Activities' in Explosive ITV Documentary

 

Prince Harry is set to appear in a new ITV documentary addressing the phone-hacking scandals. In a candid interview with reporter Becca Barry, the Duke of Sussex discusses his mission to expose what he calls the "illegal activities of Britain's tabloid newspapers." 

The documentary, titled "Tabloids on Trial," features not only Harry but also other prominent figures like Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church, and Paul Gascoigne. It is scheduled to air on ITV1 on July 25 at 9 pm.

Prince Harry's crusade against the British media predates his and Meghan Markle's departure from their royal duties in 2020. Over the past few years, he has initiated six legal cases against the media, holding UK tabloids accountable for their invasive actions toward his family, including his late mother, Princess Diana.

In his legal battles, Harry has accused the press and the Government of being at "rock bottom," "corrupt," and "biased." He emphasized the need for accountability in a witness statement for his High Court privacy case against MGN, stating: "Journalists need to expose those in the media who have misused their powers and privileges for personal gain."

Harry's high-profile cases include:

1. **Prince Harry v. Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL)**

   - Harry is among seven prominent individuals suing ANL, the publisher of the Daily Mail, for allegedly engaging in unlawful information gathering. This includes placing listening devices in cars and dishonestly obtaining personal information. ANL denies these allegations as "preposterous."

2. **Prince Harry v. Splash News and Picture Agency**

   - The Duke won a lawsuit against Splash News after its photographers took unauthorized photos of his rented home in the Cotswolds from a helicopter in 2019. Splash admitted to an "error of judgement" and agreed to pay damages and legal costs.

3. **Prince Harry v. MGN Limited**

   - Harry filed a lawsuit against Mirror publisher MGN Limited, alleging voicemail interception and other unlawful activities by its journalists. While MGN denied the claims, they agreed to pay Harry a substantial sum in damages and legal costs.

4. **Prince Harry v. News Group Newspapers (NGN)**

   - The Duke, alongside Hugh Grant, is suing NGN, the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, over alleged unlawful information gathering. Harry's case is expected to go to trial in January 2025.

5. **Prince Harry v. Home Office**

   - Harry contested the Home Office's decision to change his security arrangements when in the UK. After losing the initial case, he was granted permission to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

In addition to these legal battles, Harry has been vocal about the detrimental impact of biased and corrupt media practices on society. His upcoming documentary aims to bring these issues to the forefront, advocating for integrity and accountability within journalism.