Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 4

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This is the fourth thread discussing the case Prince Harry (and 6 others) brought against the Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Limited; ANL) for alleged unlawful information gathering (UIG).

The claimants are: Prince Harry (PH); Doreen Lawrence (DL); Liz Hurley (EH/LH); Elton John (EJ); David Furnish (DF); Simon Hughes (SH); Sadie Frost (SF).
They are represented by David Sherborne (DS).
The defendant (ANL) is represented by Anthony White (AMW).

The threads to date have been thorough discussions of the evidence (so far as we were able to obtain it), with posters giving links and explaining their views. We have mostly kept things civil by avoiding partisan discussions on specific Royal Family members, and trying not to be derailed from the topic of court proceedings.
The case has concluded and we are now awaiting the judgement from Judge Nicklin.

We have also included (when things slowed with the title case) other cases or discussions with a specific theme of free speech/press freedom, particularly when related to those with money or power preventing others from speaking.

One current ongoing case is that involving @GwendolineFairfax8 - some details towards the end of thread 3.
The case is in court this week and is likely to be reported on at the end of the week.

Links to previous threads

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

There was limited direct reporting from court after the celebrities gave evidence; what there we followed on this link
Sky news link to court case

This crusade has eaten him up for so many years and will continue to do so unless he accepts responsibility for his actions and his life choices. He is massively rich and has chosen to live in a very celebrity based part of the UK and he and his wife seek publicity all the time. He has done some great things like Invictus Games and other charitable work so please focus on these and use your wealth to help other young people who are experiencing parental loss or other traumas.
It is sad to see someone with all this privilege and potential not using it.

I'm neither surprised nor shocked at the petulancy after the pouting we saw on the BBC.

I am here for a ringside seat 🍿

This little nugget was particularly shocking:

This judgment represents a complete reversal of the position which previous judges have taken in relation to the hacking claims successfully brought against both News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers, who were represented by, at the time, the judge who made this decision.

Firstly, how can this judgement represent a 'reversal' against cases taken against entirely different newspaper groups? They are completely separate cases which are judged on their own merits you absolute moron!

And the insinuation that the judge was not neutral because of the previous cases he had worked on? Wow. Just wow.

Surely there should be consequences for making public accusations against a judge of the law?

Thanks, BasiliskStare

I notice there aren't too many whho were called (to the bar?) as far back as 1992 who haven't taken silk

Don't they want him ...?

i think his statement is no surprise - anyone who doesn’t agree with him is a liar, racist or cheat - will no one put a stop to his tantrums!!

Its blatantly obvious he doesn’t give a stuff about Invictus- he is fundraising poison

I don’t think he’s all that popular in legal circles.

Surely there should be consequences for making public accusations against a judge of the law?

I made this point to an entirely disinterested dh 🙄

I can't see a barred cell emoticon but maybe extra £££ for contempt?

I pity Harry. Imagine having all that wealth, a beautiful family, a home that most of us couldn’t even dream of owning, good health and a bright future, and yet being so bitter, believing the establishment are against you, believing you are a victim, having trashed your relationship with your father and brother… He really could just choose to be happy and enjoy a life of riches and privilege, but he won’t. It’s like some kind of Greek tragedy.

I genuinely worry for PH’s mental health. It’s really sad watching him implode, and I cannot be gleeful. He’s been so badly advised since leaving the protection of the RF. He’s under so much pressure, and yes it’s all self inflicted , but I still wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. The fact the MM didn’t even accompany him, knowing the judgement was due today. He’s so alone and I hope he has friends looking out for him.

Not long home so have been catching up on the thread - as always, thanks to everyone for comments and links.

A few questions re Harry/ DL's horrendous statement (probably aimed at @Serenster or other legal people):

Is Sherborne likely to have been involved in drawing it up? It is so bad, and makes such basic errors, that I assumed they had done it themselves. I had also imagined that if Sherborne were involved he would have made one of his own rousing speeches (as he did after the Mirror gp case).

Is it bad enough that any of them (PH/DL/Sherborne) could be liable for contempt of court?

Given the claimants' total lack of evidence that the judge has laid out in his judgement, are there any potential sanctions for Sherborne? Or can he simply say that he explained this to his clients, and they were adamant they wished to proceed?

Wise move by the palace to not have him stay. Imagine him ranting outside BP calling a judge corrupt, when his father the king is the figure head for law and order in the UK.

I wonder if the palace were tipped off about the judgment before it was made public and that is why they couldn’t accommodate the last minute request for Harry to stay. Now that would be in contempt of court, but the timing here is interesting!

Yep. Spoilt boy on the rampage. Wife miles away, she wasn’t going to be tainted by association of his failure - she’s kept well at from this thoughout. She’ll wash her hands of him at some point, then he’ll really have nothing to lose.

I don’t think the judgement in Harry’s case , was unexpected- although perhaps the complete lack of success might have been. All the “evidence” that came out during the proceedings was so lacking that I think it was clear it wouldn’t be a resounding success for him. So , I don’t think they palace was tipped off, just a better judge of proceedings than Harry!

He’s been so badly advised since leaving the protection of the RF.

I think that highlights the skills of the much maligned by him MIG who managed to blokewash a malevolent manchild for a credulous public.

I meant celebrity based part of the USA....

I mean, why was Baroness Lawrence even part of this circus? The Mail provided huge support for her following her son’s tragic murder, yet somehow Harry managed to get her onboard. At least, according to reports, he had offered to meet her Court costs, but my gut tells me she was exploited here - someone with a lot of respect who could prove beneficial in Harry’s fight. Harry is either getting very poor advice with these wrong turns, or he’s just ignoring any guidance offered in the belief that all he does and says is right, and it’s everyone else who’s wrong.

Really I never thought I'd find myself agreeing and sympathising with Paul Dacre.

Truly it's a funny old world.

Baroness Lawrence also put her name to that appalling statement. None of the other claimants did.

She's not being exploited. She's a grown woman making choices. Terrible ones.

That statement is shocking!

Harry is well below average intelligence in my opinion. There are lots of other factors at play, but I really think that’s the core one. He simply does not have the intellectual ability to understand things like how a court case works, or how RAVEC works. That inability to understand continues to pile grievance upon grievance as he takes everything personally.

Seems like the Maguire guy had his fingerprints all over that statement.

Yes I agree with all of that.

It's not the only factor, as you say, but the fact that he is very, very dim is a huge part of the problem. He's simply not capable of functioning in the real world. Part of its not his fault in the sense that he always had people picking up the pieces and smoothing his path. But he found freedom from that, and his 'limitations' are now painfully obvious.

His children?

I'm also worried about Harry. He really doesn't look well and I don't think he's got anyone looking out for him.

I’m assuming DL agreed to having her name included? and being a joint statement she saw it before it was released to the public?