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The royal family

Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 4

1000 replies

bluegreygreen · 12/05/2026 17:19

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
25
IcedPurple · 07/07/2026 22:46

Harry's lucky the Farage farce has knocked him off some of the front pages. Because the rest are having great fun at his expense.

Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 4
Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 4
StartupRepair · 07/07/2026 22:46

Wow that statement is foolish to say the least.
Don't see how Charles can meet him now after he has slandered the king's court and judge.

Totalmayhem · 07/07/2026 22:48

DL has my deepest sympathies regarding the loss of her son and everything she went through. But, if she doesn’t possess adequate critical thinking to read that judgement and not realise they have no leg to stand on she should not be in the position of being allowed to vote in the HOL. I can’t imagine what has possessed her…. Unless PH released it without her giving it the once over? No idea what their Barrister is on either - he’s made a name for himself now, but not in a good way!!

IAmATorturedPoet · 07/07/2026 22:49

@Puzzledandpissedoff your post about Neville really tickled me.😆

and this

@IcedPurple "Special historic edition" 😎
😆

I’ve got a giggling induced sweat on now!!

Rhaidimiddim · 07/07/2026 22:52

StartupRepair · 07/07/2026 22:46

Wow that statement is foolish to say the least.
Don't see how Charles can meet him now after he has slandered the king's court and judge.

A win for KC3!

(I'm not one of those who believes Charles must miss his son and be longing to meet the dear GDCs. I see a man who accepts the breakdown of a parent-child relationship, and is riding it with as much grace as he can, given his unique high profile, until the child hits rock bottom.)

bluegreygreen · 07/07/2026 23:06

IAmATorturedPoet · 07/07/2026 22:49

@Puzzledandpissedoff your post about Neville really tickled me.😆

and this

@IcedPurple "Special historic edition" 😎
😆

I’ve got a giggling induced sweat on now!!

Maybe Neville Lawrence has been asleep for a few years?
Or maybe he has his ex very effectively blocked on social (and mainstream) media?

And for the first time in my life I am seriously tempted to go and buy a paper copy of the Daily Mail.

OP posts:
ForAmberPoster · 07/07/2026 23:08

HurrahforHollywood · 07/07/2026 21:28

He is his own worst enemy.

I don't think he is but he’s a very close second

HoldMyWine · 07/07/2026 23:09

Well what a day. This has been such an interesting thread (s). I dont think Harold is going to let it lie though, so am sure this is not the end for us interested parties.

BasiliskStare · 07/07/2026 23:10

So I'm not sure when the costs are awarded - is it end of July ?

After today here are my thoughts - FWIW

I suspect Judge Nicklin knew H would release a less than considered statement. I shouldn't think for a moment he will award costs based on any aspersions that statement casts on him. He's seen the man in court and I suspect had the measure of H. He may be more inclined to think on how he tried to get the claimants to rein in their spending

I read Paul Dacre's statement . I then watched the You tube where he was delivering it. It felt differently hearing the statement than just reading it. I have some sympathy with the man. He did actually put his own neck on the block over the Lawrence case. I know it's fashionable to dismiss the DM as a clickbait rag ( and to some extent it is - it's a mid / mass market newspaper ) but it isn't the NOTW. I actually quite admire them for sticking to their guns and going all out. They must have deep pockets (no idea ) but clearly thought in this instance they would/ should win.

In this one case I would like to see the judge make the claimants pay the Mail's costs as it does look like this was a slightly vexatious case based on not much more than "we've beaten two others - let's have this one now" . Of course I don't know but looking at what has come out , I would not have bet the farm on winning that (Claimants) And also - the irony of H's texts and things coming out when they absolutely did not need to.

HoldMyWine · 07/07/2026 23:11

Front page of the Sun. 😁

Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 4
bluegreygreen · 07/07/2026 23:17

Agree with all you say, @BasiliskStare, except I would remove your 'slightly vexatious' and put 'extremely vexatious'

OP posts:
IAmATorturedPoet · 07/07/2026 23:18

bluegreygreen · 07/07/2026 23:06

Maybe Neville Lawrence has been asleep for a few years?
Or maybe he has his ex very effectively blocked on social (and mainstream) media?

And for the first time in my life I am seriously tempted to go and buy a paper copy of the Daily Mail.

I’m thinking different planet! 😁

bluegreygreen · 07/07/2026 23:23

Thank you @elessar -- that is very moving.

OP posts:
Gymnopedie · 07/07/2026 23:25

And also - the irony of H's texts and things coming out when they absolutely did not need to.

I like his indignation - referred to in the Telegraph article that was archived - that he was forced to hand over a series of text messages that proved what he was saying on the witness stand wasn't true. He says they were 'not relevant'. I mean, how very dare they look to show that he wasnt telling the truth!!!!!

Rhaidimiddim · 07/07/2026 23:32

Gymnopedie · 07/07/2026 23:25

And also - the irony of H's texts and things coming out when they absolutely did not need to.

I like his indignation - referred to in the Telegraph article that was archived - that he was forced to hand over a series of text messages that proved what he was saying on the witness stand wasn't true. He says they were 'not relevant'. I mean, how very dare they look to show that he wasnt telling the truth!!!!!

It just beggars belief, doesn't it, that he thinks this SOLID EVIDENCE was irrelevant.

Left · 07/07/2026 23:34

elessar · 07/07/2026 23:10

Apologies if this article has already been posted but I think it’s a good example of the real human impact felt by many of the journalists involved in the case.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/0b4affbcc3cf8c5c

Found the article on Yahoo with no paywall - www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/witness-prince-harry-hacking-case-184536550.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANxvn6G6NtzAqBjzGwrMx4wTCF16u9j07IBTTthjOsvKmcCtpOcoXjfcEurmRZSiO5YRNfl3LTRGUqdYIg1r-6Y73nNELlc0_9fhWhLSJiVjcC1ascsOmeQuyyK7uTDV5VS6nW3pmRMH3b650pSTiIH59cgVDxfJ3Xrlg9VbJST1

GwendolineFairfax8 · 07/07/2026 23:40

LlynTegid · 07/07/2026 21:37

The Daily Mail is a hideous so-called newspaper, so I will not cheer for their win in court.

Much as I think the Duke of Sussex should have just sulked and said nothing after losing the court case.

Interested why you say that (hideous)?

jeffgoldblum · 07/07/2026 23:44

CathyorClaire · 07/07/2026 20:54

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.

Yes they engineered the Harry we thought we knew! , turns out it was total bollocks!

IAmATorturedPoet · 07/07/2026 23:44

HoldMyWine · 07/07/2026 23:11

Front page of the Sun. 😁

Great headline 😁

jeffgoldblum · 07/07/2026 23:48

KatherineParr · 07/07/2026 21:25

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.

Without wishing to sound cold ! , he’s 41, he’s an adult, his current crisis is self imposed! , do you feel sorry for Andrew? , no , why? , what is the difference? , they both have reeped what they sowed! , the piper is calling, time to pay the bill!

jeffgoldblum · 07/07/2026 23:50

LlynTegid · 07/07/2026 21:37

The Daily Mail is a hideous so-called newspaper, so I will not cheer for their win in court.

Much as I think the Duke of Sussex should have just sulked and said nothing after losing the court case.

Why is it hideous? , what have they printed that would lead you to that conclusion???

Scorchio84 · 08/07/2026 00:00

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 07/07/2026 21:27

He had plenty people more than looking after him, and he threw them all under a bus. He has the life he deserves.

🎯

BasiliskStare · 08/07/2026 00:05

bluegreygreen · 07/07/2026 23:17

Agree with all you say, @BasiliskStare, except I would remove your 'slightly vexatious' and put 'extremely vexatious'

I was trying to channel Judge Nicklin's understated style. 😊 I believe it is an actual legal term. I think normally in less high profile cases and for more cases but it would interesting if H brings a suit agin how he would be advised.

Judge Nicklin will have seen worse than H on his time on the bench. (or maybe not - but in different ways.) I do hope he awards costs so that H never thinks the UK courts are his playground again , but I am not a judge of many years experience so let us see.

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