Campaigners, including prominent figures, prepare evidence for the police and may initiate private prosecutions if further investigations are not pursued.
Supporters of Prince Harry’s legal fight against News Group Newspapers (NGN), which publishes The Sun and The News of the World, are considering private criminal prosecutions if the Metropolitan Police do not open a new investigation into unlawful activities. This follows the Duke of Sussex’s settlement with NGN on January 24, after they admitted to serious privacy violations and illegal practices against him.
The individuals backing Prince Harry’s case are now gathering evidence, which was compiled before the trial, with plans to submit it to the police. Campaigners have indicated that if the police do not proceed with further inquiries, they may initiate private criminal proceedings.
Emma Jones, a representative from the campaign group Hacked Off, which works with victims of press abuse, emphasised the importance of a thorough police investigation. She argued that unlawful actions, including potential perjury by those involved, need to be addressed. “If people lied under oath in a court case or the Leveson Inquiry, that’s perjury, a criminal offence,” she said. “This should not be left to private prosecutions.”
The effort has garnered support from high-profile individuals, including British actor Hugh Grant, who has previously settled his case with NGN, and former Labour Party deputy leader Lord Tom Watson. Watson, who also took legal action against NGN, confirmed that a dossier of evidence would be submitted to the Metropolitan Police following his own settlement.
The dossier, which may take weeks to compile due to its volume, is expected to contain evidence related to The Sun and The News of the World. This information includes material that the police were unable to obtain during their previous investigations. Chris Huhne, a former cabinet minister, has already contacted the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Mark Rowley, urging for a renewed probe into the matter. Huhne expressed his dissatisfaction with the previous handling of the case by the Metropolitan Police, calling for a different police force to oversee the investigation.
Campaigners are also calling for investigations by other bodies, including the Information Commissioner’s Office, regarding the misuse of private information, as well as by the press standards organisation. There is also a demand for parliamentary scrutiny to determine whether journalists or executives lied under oath during the Leveson Inquiry or to parliamentary committees.
In response to the settlement, NGN issued an apology for their intrusion into Prince Harry’s private life, though they strongly denied any allegations of perjury or a cover-up. The Metropolitan Police, meanwhile, confirmed that no active investigation is underway into phone hacking or related matters at this time. A police spokesman stated that they are awaiting any correspondence from the involved parties before responding.
Prince Harry has not publicly commented since the settlement, but his actions continue to inspire further calls for accountability.
