Duke of Sussex court case: key witness statement false

[bluegreygreen]

I looked for another thread on this but didn't see one.

The story is about the case Prince Harry (and 6 others) are bringing against the Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers) for phone hacking. Back in July the claimants were told to reveal any payments that were made to witnesses in exchange for evidence; this seems more serious.

From what I can gather the main witness (Gavin Burrows) in the case was employed by the claimants' team over a couple of years to help research into the phone hacking by different organisations and to track down relevant people. He says he was asked on several occasions if he had worked for the Daily Mail and always denied it, and the first he knew of the current case was when he heard in 2023 that Baroness Lawrence had brought it based on his evidence.

Apparently Burrows wrote a statement at that time (2023) denying the claims and has now written a more detailed statement also denying the claims.

The claimants now don't want to call him as a witness (unsurprisingly) but do want to rely on (some of) his evidence as 'hearsay evidence'.
They also don't want Associated Newspapers to be allowed to call him as a witness.

Telegraph archive link
https://archive.is/YAjNq

I haven't heard before of 'hearsay evidence' being used like this - does anyone know the rules? How can it be tested?

Very true @IAmATorturedPoet

Thanks, jeff

As I said last night, unless something really unexpected turns up these things won't be prepared at the last minute, and Harry's already had years to maunder over his endless perceived injustices, so unless he's forgotten what his lawyers have already said it's hard to see how he wouldn't be ready

Doubtless any hiccups will be someone else's fault though ... aren't they always?

Obviously everyone else’s fault @Puzzledandpissedoff! Don’t think he’s ever taken responsibility for anything in his entire life.

Very slow to update today!!!
they better get a move on , I’ve got to talk my mil through setting up her new Wi-Fi at 11! 🤣

Oh dear ... it's saying on sky that he's due to appear at 11.30, so that might be awkward

This is a major part of his problem.

The key names involved in this case
published at 11:00
11:00
While we wait to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry's arrival, here's a rundown of some names you're likely to hear today.
Judge: The Honourable Mr Justice Nicklin
Claimants: Prince Harry, Baroness Lawrence, Elizabeth Hurley, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Sir Simon Hughes, Sadie Frost Law
Defendant: Associated Newspaper Limited
Legal counsel for the claimants: David Sherborne
Legal counsel for the defendant: Antony White KC

I'm just watching him arrive, with his protection officers. He's gone into court.

Prince Harry arrives to give evidence
published at 11:05
11:05
BREAKING

Imogen James
Reporting from the High Court
Prince Harry has just walked through the London rain and made his way inside the High Court.
Like his previous arrivals, he seems relaxed, smiling at onlookers and camera crew. He even gave a wave.

She hasn’t phoned yet! , there’s time 🤣

I love the comment that he "walked through the London rain"! 😂

Yes - I assume a few steps from his car!

😂
Yes, you'd think he'd had a long walk from a bus stop!

This reporter seems very well disposed towards Harry doesn’t she!

Umbrellas up and flanked by his team - images show Harry's arrival
published at 11:21
11:21
As we just reported, Prince Harry is now at the High Court in central London and photographers were quick to snap his arrival.

Thanks for all the information

Following etiquette checks, lawyers agree to call Prince Harry... Prince Harry
published at 11:54
11:54
Tom Symonds
Reporting from the High Court
David Sherborne is used to questioning Prince Harry, following the Duke's mammoth stint in the witness box during his case against Mirror Group Newspapers.
But a few minutes ago, we saw the barrister double check the etiquette around Harry's titles.
He said the duke should be addressed as Your Royal Highness the first time and then sir. Was that acceptable? How would he like to be addressed?
"Same as last time", Prince Harry responded, fairly bluntly, as my colleague Imogen James pointed out.
Sherborne asked for a reminder and they agreed to call him... Prince Harry.

In other words, for the person who says he doesn't like titles, he prefers being called by his title to the correct etiquette

"As a member of the Institution the policy was to 'never complain, never explain"
"There was no alternative; I was conditioned to accept it"

Well that's not true for a start - not when William had his own settlement against the media - and I do hope he's asked that

He loves titles, @bluegreygreen . As does his wife.
What are they without them?

Anthony White KC questioning Harry
Harry admits that he didn't complain at the time because the articles cited legitimate sources, also says he wouldn't have been allowed to complain
Says he wasn't friendsd with journalists; denies inviting Katie Nicholls to a party; denies she was part of his social circle, but agrees she was at parites within his social circle
Harry starting to argue back
"Everybody knew who she was so nobody would be loose lipped around her," the duke goes on to say.
"If the sources were so good, and she was hanging out with all my friends, then why was she using private investigators," he argues with the lawyer.

Judge reminds prince he should answer questions, not argue the casepublished at 12:11
12:11
Imogen James
Reporting from the High Court

The judge interrupts at this point.
He says Prince Harry is tending to argue back to the lawyer, but his "job" is to answer the questions that are put to him.
"You don't have to bear the burden" of arguing the case, the judge tells the duke.

Harry bristles at the idea that some of the journalists who have written these disputed articles might have been part of his friendship circle.
When it’s suggested that a Mail journalist might have been in the same clubs as him, the prince snaps: "Good for her."

He needs to be careful not to lose it.

He is coming across as very snotty now - and entitled

He’s not doing himself any favours!
sounds like a petulant teen.
Seems really riled which doesn’t sound good when he’s only just started giving evidence

I think Sherborne might have unsettled him inadvertently with the HRH thing - I think Sherborne was attempting to increase his status but Harry knows well he's not supposed to use it