Harry v NGN 2

[mainecooncatonahottinroof]

I don't think we're done talking - and I never start threads!

As you were!

We all know that’s why you posted though…you want the 20 replies.

Hopefully, some posters can now conclude that, logically, given current events, the news prism through which some stories about H & M are filtered, have not all been what you might call, completely fair and unbiased.

What do you think of the consistent and persistent exposes of bullying across many years, workplaces, cultures and countries by Meghan Markle of dozens of staff following separate investigations by The Times, The Hollywood Reporter and most recently Vanity Fair?

Are these reports from the NDA silenced victims completely fair and unbiased?

I think Charles Spencer would agree that it takes real guts to go up against such a dominate and malign force as Meghan Markle.

I think it would be brave of Harry to do it when other less financially fortunate individuals, who had also been the victims of alleged toxic workplace practices, wouldn’t have had a hope of doing so.

Let’s face it, he gets applauded for getting out of bed and being polite in some sectors of the internet and media, the bar is not high 🤣

Also, anyone who regularly reads a variety of direct MSM sources will be well aware that all of them have biases and agendas that they use their coverage to express. There has been been both positively and negatively biased coverage against Meghan (and Harry) since she was first revealed to be dating him.

Helpfully there’s also been a plethora of media directly from the couple themselves, so observers are well-placed to form an opinion on them based on their own words.

Helpfully there’s also been a plethora of media directly from the couple themselves, so observers are well-placed to form an opinion on them based on their own words.

There is also a plethora of words, actions and/or silence from many 'friends', family, colleagues etc who have associated with the couple over the years from which everyone can form an opinion.

Helpfully there’s also been a plethora of media directly from the couple themselves, so observers are well-placed to form an opinion on them based on their own words.

I think some posters seem to conveniently forget this - because MEEEEJAH, MEEEEJAH. Yawn Yawn.

An abundance of material is generously provided by the couple themselves.

Well I just hope after this settlement H will draw a line and can be quiet about the subject. - if I were he I would be more worried about some of the negative press coming from the US Media , To be fair I don't read a lot of US media except when 2nd hand reporting in UK media. But eg VF. BUT for all I know they are feted and positively reported on in many places , so that is a personal and possibly ill informed opinion.

I would imagine most of that is going on hair gel

This

Harry's main "victory" seems to be an admission that The Sun (as distinct from the News Of The World) used hacked material. But in reality - in the court of public opinion, I mean, not as separate legal entities for legal purposes - does anyone really care about the distinction? I've never thought of them as anything other than the same shit rag with a different name on Sundays. The NOTW folded over 10 years ago, but did anybody really notice while The Sun is still on the newsstands? It's all a bit over-dramatic. Rebekah Brookes retains her job (for now, and presumably can't be re-tried criminally because of double jeopardy and rules regarding evidence handed over with litigation privilege ); the bloke who is now running The Washington Post retains his lofty position. Rupert Murdoch looks like he's never going away (the massive payout in the States over the voting machines allegations didn't stop Fox News or his empire marching on). So what has this case achieved for the wider good, which was Harry's stated purpose of pursuing it? What's really different about today that wasn't the case the day before yesterday?

Murdoch got what he wanted, make no mistake.

Agree, the more I think about it the more it is a win for Murdoch. His statement barley touches the sides.

I care about the distinction! When News of the World went down it took the fall so the Sun could stay standing. Obviously they’re two rats eating out of the same bin, but I still think it’s important to have on the record that the Sun was just as involved in mucky business as the NOTW; we all knew it, no one thought “Ooh, the Sun, bastion of journalistic standards”. But this is the first time they’ve admitted it.

Can anyone in the know comment on Sherborne claiming NGN had destroyed documents, admitted lying on oath etc in his post settlement speech outside court, and NGN having to correct his assertions? Isn't the somewhat naughty on his part and potentially a breach of his duties as a barrister? And potentially libelous?

But what does "just as involved" amount to? Using private investigators who carried out hacking. I don't think there's anything else the Sun has admitted to - no wrongdoing on the part of employees. And what's the material consequences of the public now knowing this? Do you think it will stop people who are inclined to read the Sun from reading it? Do you think there will be criminal prosecutions? There will undoubtedly be more civil actions which I imagine will be settled out of court, and more power to those people who were hacked and who deserve the compensation. But that's been happening for years anyway.

I think what I'm trying to ask is, if you are not a big Harry fan and particularly happy for him, then what should this settlement mean for the wider public?

Just going to add that maybe there won't be more cases because of the Limitation Act application.

Naughty yes. Beacuse f evidently they had settled, they hadn’t proved those claims (and NGN then denied the allegations in their own statement).

I found the courtroom steps oratory a bit melodramatic actually. Like Sherborne had written his victory speech and decided to deliver it anyway, even though they’d settled.

He probably just wanted to show off his coiffure in public 😆

Thanks @Serenster . I agree, it did come across as a pre-written victory speech that his ego wouldn't let him file in the bin. I wonder if he'll get reported to the Bar Council?

"Because I'm worth it!" 😂

I do think Sherbourne could have given Michael Heseltine a run for his money back in the day for leonine locks.

Interesting though - is there any comeback on how each side presents whether they won or lost after a settlement - or is that just the court of public opinion ?

Mostly the court of public opinion, though obviously you do risk a claim of libel if you go around saying publicly that the other party is guilty of unlawful activity that you haven’t actually proved. I think there’s a fairly low likelihood of NGN wanting to re-open any element of this case though, given they’ve got the settlement they wanted!

Agree that Sherborne 's speech seemed to have been written for an actual victory rather than a settlement. He claimed things that were not in fact proved or admitted.
I suspect he earned every penny he will get from Harry - don't think he would be the easiest client.

I hope that Harry finds some closure in what was clearly a deeply felt legal challenge although emotionally to settle, can’t feel as validating as winning a court case and having a judgment in your favour.
Hopefully the millions will come in useful but that’s probably only a few years of his family’s private security costs.

An interesting round up of Harry and Tom Watson’s win (settlement for those who reject it was a win) in Vanity Fair.

I have a subscription so not sure if everyone can access it. Vanity Fair

There was a cheeky ending to the article.

“No similar sentiment has been heard from Buckingham Palace. It’s as well to remember that a part of Harry’s courage was to break away from his family’s policy of not making adversaries of the tabloids. In his autobiography, Spare, Harry described a conversation that took place in April 2021, after the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip, as he was walking with his brother, Prince William, and his father, then Prince Charles.

They asked what was happening with the hacking case. “Still ongoing,” said Harry.

“Suicide mission,” said his father.

I wonder how his father, now the king, thinks about that now.”

Oh, VF refers to the ‘reportedly huge settlement’ Harry received. So we are still in the dark about how huge, huge by UK standards or US standards?

I imagine his father has more important things on his mind at the moment.