The £50million phone hacking case brought by Prince Harry, Doreen Lawrence and a raft of other celebrities against the publishers of the Dai
Prince Harry's phone hacking case against the Daily Mail is dismissed in full
By SAM GREENHILL, THE CHIEF REPORTER and MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER PUBLISHED: 14:09, 7 July 2026 | UPDATED: 16:09, 7 July 2026
The £50million phone hacking case brought by Prince Harry, Doreen Lawrence and a raft of other high-profile figures against the publishers of the Daily Mail was today dismissed in full. The case brought by the Duke of Sussex and six fellow claimants, including Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, was heard at a three-month trial at London's High Court at the beginning of this year. The trial judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, accepted that every article complained about was lawfully sourced. The claim was brought against Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday.
In an executive summary of his judgment, Mr Justice Nicklin said: 'Associated called journalist witnesses who gave lawful explanations for the sourcing of the disputed articles and incidents. 'The Court accepted their evidence, including their denials of UIG [unlawful information gathering]. 'The allegations were serious: they included allegations of dishonesty, unlawful conduct and deliberately false evidence. The more serious and less likely an allegation is, the more convincing the evidence must be before a court can find it proved.'
An Associated Newspapers spokesman said: 'Associated Newspapers welcomes today's judgment, which is an overwhelming victory for the Daily Mail and its journalists, and for a free Press generally. 'Mr Justice Nicklin today cleared the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday, and dismissed every single one of the 97 allegations made by the claimants. In every case, the Judge accepted the honesty of our journalists' evidence on how they sourced their stories.
'This is a magnificent vindication of the Daily Mail's journalism.
'For some of the most outrageous allegations made when the case was launched in a blaze of publicity four years ago – placing bugs in people's cars and homes, listening to calls as they were made and illicitly accessing bank accounts – no credible evidence was ever presented. 'As we said at the time, these allegations were "lurid" and "preposterous", and were a fishing expedition by the claimants and their legal teams in a politically motivated campaign to muzzle the free Press. 'The reputations of our decent and hard-working journalists were terribly impugned, and today they have been exonerated. 'As the judgment clearly shows, every single article was legitimately sourced. 'Associated Newspapers thanks Mr Justice Nicklin for the patience and wisdom he has displayed throughout this misguided legal action, which has wasted so much valuable court time and more than £50million in legal costs. 'We will look to resolve outstanding issues, including the recovery of the costs we have incurred while defending ourselves against this egregious litigation.'
Prince Harry flew in from California to give evidence in his case, which lasted only 75 minutes. Bristling with anger, he told the judge his wife’s life had been made ‘an absolute misery’, even though the Duchess of Sussex had nothing to do with the case.
Yet far from being a victim of phone hacking, evidence emerged Prince Harry had spoken to journalists himself and even partied at a country house one weekend with a Mail on Sunday reporter who called him ‘Mr Mischief’. Harry called her 'sugar' and wrote to her: ‘Miss our movie snuggles!!’ The judge said that in assessing Prince Harry’s evidence overall, 'it was apparent that he wished the court to understand the personal impact of the matters in issue. At times, this led him beyond giving factual evidence into advancing arguments on the issues.' Mr Justice Nicklin added: 'As I indicated to Prince Harry at the time, that is not uncommon: many litigants feel a strong instinct to argue their case themselves. 'Overall, this did not affect the quality of Prince Harry’s evidence, which I accept. As with each of the claimants, Prince Harry has limited evidence to give on the contentious matters in dispute.'
From the moment the case began in 2022, the Daily Mail has consistently denied the accusations, for which there was never any credible evidence. Even the claimants’ own supposed star witness, a private investigator named Gavin Burrows, told them he had never worked for the Mail, yet they ploughed ahead with the case anyway. Prince Harry, Ms Hurley, Sir Elton, his husband David Furnish and Baroness Lawrence all launched their claims on the basis of alleged ‘admissions’ from Mr Burrows about hacking their voicemails, tapping their landlines, bugging Hugh Grant’s car and, in Ms Hurley’s case, placing a sticky microphone on her dining room window – none of which was true.
Mr Burrows said in his evidence that his ‘confession’ statement had been penned by Prince Harry’s legal researchers and was ‘a pack of lies’ complete with a forgery for his signature. The statement was authenticated with a ‘certificate of compliance’ by Baroness Lawrence’s glamorous solicitor Anjlee Sangani, who quit the case just before the trial started.
When Mr Burrows came to give evidence on oath, the claimants tied themselves in knots and were reduced to calling their star witness a liar and a drunk. The judge dismissed all the Burrows allegations. Mr Justice Nicklin found that Mail journalist Stephen Wright gave truthful evidence, his explanations were 'coherent and plausible', and the allegation he had corruptly paid police officers was dismissed. His ruling said: 'I accept Mr Wright’s evidence that he has not made corrupt payments to serving police officers, whether in relation to the specific incidents alleged or generally.'
The judge also said the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English was 'an impressive and honest witness', adding that her explanations for where she had sourced stories were 'entirely plausible'. He threw out an allegation that she had tried to get the flight details of Prince Harry's former girlfriend Chelsy Davy. The judge was critical of the claimants' lawyers for advancing allegations against Ms English at her trial in relation to phone hacking which were 'entirely unsupported by evidence'.
Mr Justice Nicklin said: 'It was, in substance, a serious allegation advanced without particulars and without evidential foundation.' Elizabeth Hurley, who repeatedly sobbed into a tissue throughout her own time in the witness box, claimed 15 articles, published between 2002 and 2011, were the result of ‘unlawful information gathering’, accusing the Mail of ‘monstrous’ conduct. But the model and actress’s allegations including that the Mail planted ‘sticky window microphones’ on her windowsill relied heavily on the suggestion that Mr Burrows had ‘confessed’ to targeting her – which he said was lies. The judge accepted Ms Hurley’s evidence in the witness box, saying: ‘It was clear that she had been deeply shocked when she learned of Mr Burrows’ allegations concerning her. As with each of the Claimants, she has limited evidence to give on the contentious matters in dispute.’
Sir Elton John, giving testimony over a video link wearing bright-blue-framed glasses, snapped at the Mail’s barrister Catrin Evans KC and demanded to know why he wasn’t being questioned about the 'horrendous things' that the Claimants’ legal team alleged Mr Burrows had done in a his claim brought jointly with his husband. The judge said that Sir Elton had been ‘straightforward and considered’ in his evidence but ‘at times, he appeared to find the limited extent to which he was questioned to be frustrating’. Like the other claimants, the singer had ‘limited evidence to give’ on the matters in hand.
Media lawyer Louis Charalambous called today's judgment ‘a calamity for all seven claimants’.
He said: ‘It is rare for a newspaper to win cases like this. The spotlight will now be on the people who encouraged the claimants to bring these cases and the financial position it puts them in. In all likelihood spells the end of this kind of litigation.’
Comment: I have pointed out several times that Hugh Grant is part of Hacked Off which pupurtodly campaigns for "meaningful reform of UK press self-regulation, ensuring that the victims of press abuse have their voices heard and are given protection from continuing intrusions."
This whole Court Case with all the claimants was started by Hacked Off. Note that Elizabeth Hurley's ex Hugh Grant is a big part of the case. The organisation are Labour leaning and left wing and are affiliated with Byline Times who targeted Dan Wooton. The aim was to bring down the DM a Conservative leaning publication and GB News whilst Wooton was part of the Organisation.
The whole thing is Political and Harry has deeply immersed himself in the Politics of the Labour Left
Hugh Grant is now targeting the incoming Labour PM Andy Burnham in his attempts to curtail the Freedom of the Press
For 15 years, Hacked Off has demanded state regulation of Fleet Street. Team Burnham prepares to sweep into No 10, is @HackedOffHugh really on the cusp of a historic triumph over his tabloid tormentors in the form of state control of Britain's free press?
In a sweltering Westminster basement at the peak of last week’s heatwave, Hugh Grant, looking relaxed in shorts and loafers, was in an optim
Karl Stefanovic has continued his run of inviting divisive guests onto his controversial podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show.
Queen's former chaplain criticises 'woke' King Charles and says Queen Elizabeth would see her son's reign as a 'disaster' as he appears on Karl Stefanovic podcast: 'He's like a blind and deaf lion tamer'
By MARTA JARY, SHOWBUSINESS NIGHT EDITOR, AUSTRALIA PUBLISHED: 14:19, 7 July 2026 | UPDATED: 15:39, 7 July 2026
Karl Stefanovic has continued his run of inviting divisive guests onto his controversial podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show. The latest episode, uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday after Stefanovic's exit from the Today Show was hastened following backlash over his chat with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, features the Queen's former chaplain, Dr. Gavin Ashenden. Ashenden had harsh words for British monarch King Charles III, who he lashed over the decision to abandon the label of Defender of the Faith, used by the royal family since the 16th century, and replacing it with 'Supreme Governor of the Church of England and protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation'.
'Evidently we have a woke King. Coincidentally, we have a King who can't think straight despite having had the best possible education,' Ashenden told Stefanovic. 'He has got caught up in something that pleases him, which is the idea that all religions and all spiritual realities are of equal value. And if you can somehow mix them together, it's good for society,' he continued. 'There's no evidence in history of this at all.' Ashenden said that by failing to have 'fresh thoughts', King Charles is part of a process that he says is, 'unravelling everything that has held us together'.
'He's like a blind and deaf lion tamer, who can't see things are quite dangerous,' Ashenden said.
When asked what the late Queen Elizabeth II would think of her son's reign, Ashenden did not hold back. 'I think she would know it's a disaster. She was a very intelligent, alert woman, full of integrity,' he said. 'I think one of the reasons we loved her, is that we felt that we were dealing with a woman of integrity. When the world is run by people with integrity, the world is safe. 'We loved her because she was a model of how this thing needs to be done. 'Unfortunately Charles... is just falling short of what's expected of a King.'
Ashenden served as an honorary Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II for almost a decade, between 2008 and 2017.
He resigned from the position in early 2017, indicating that he wished to freely speak on theological issues without drawing the Queen into controversy.
When asked what the late Queen Elizabeth II (left) would think of her son's reign, Ashenden did not hold back. 'I think she would know it's a disaster. She was a very intelligent, alert woman, full of integrity,' he said
Ashenden offered Stefanovic his support on speaking out on challenging topics, stating that he feels the television star has paid greatly for his intended pursuit of free speech. Stefanovic exited Channel Nine last month following widespread condemnation over his interview with Tommy Robinson on his independent podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, with the network reportedly concerned by a potential advertiser boycott. 'On behalf of people who are desperate to hear the truth spoken, and I know you've had to pay a huge price for speaking it, but thank you for doing it,' Ashenden said. 'We need you to be free to speak the truth, and it's very difficult if you're employed nowadays. We're in a very strange place, one that I could have never imagined growing up... 'A social contagion takes place with no one wanting to be the odd one out.'
Buckingham Palace updated the monarch's official spiritual role in June's Sovereign Grant Annual Report.
The 500-year-old term 'Defender of the Faith' was set aside, with the updated wording stating that the King 'protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation'.
07 July 2026 || The Prince of Wales visits Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain (The London Welsh School), to join pupils in sending their best wishes to Team Wales ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, in London. (📷Alamy)
The role comes with benefits, including 25 days of holiday entitlement annually and complimentary meals provided each working day
King Charles and Queen Camilla seeking new employee as job posted with £52,000 salary
The role comes with benefits, including 25 days of holiday entitlement annually and complimentary meals provided each working day
By Svar Nanan-Sen Published: 05/07/2026 - 09:30
Buckingham Palace is seeking a videographer to produce "on-trend content" documenting the King and Queen's official duties and private moments, marking a new addition to their communications team. The position, offering an annual salary of up to £52,000, will see the successful applicant join the Royal Communications department at the Palace. This full-time role reflects the monarchy's ongoing efforts to refresh how it engages with the public and promotes its charitable interests.
The hire signals a significant shift in how Charles and Camilla intend to present themselves digitally, with their social media channels increasingly featuring polished video compilations alongside traditional photography.
Buckingham Palace is seeking a videographer to produce "on-trend content" documenting the King and Queen's official duties and private moments, marking a new addition to their communications team. | GETTY
The videographer will be responsible for documenting everything from routine daily appearances to significant ceremonial occasions, with events such as Trooping the Colour likely featuring prominently in their portfolio. According to the job listing, candidates must demonstrate a "passion for storytelling" and possess the "creativity to bring stories to life" while producing visual material that can "inspire millions through powerful visual content". The role comes with benefits, including 25 days of holiday entitlement annually and complimentary meals provided each working day. Through their digital platforms, the new hire will help the King and Queen reach audiences worldwide.
The hire signals a significant shift in how Charles and Camilla intend to present themselves digitally, with their social media channels increasingly featuring polished video compilations alongside traditional photography. | GETTY
The King and Queen appear to be taking inspiration from the Prince and Princess of Wales, who regularly collaborate with London-based filmmaker Will Warr for their most intimate content.
Warr was behind the camera for the Princess's deeply personal video in 2024 announcing she had completed her cancer treatment, featuring beautifully captured scenes of William and Kate with their children in Norfolk woodland and on the beach. Most recently, Kensington Palace shared footage of Kate discussing her Three Peaks Challenge fundraising effort for the Royal Marsden, where she received treatment, having conquered Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours.
The Princess of Wales visited the Evelina Children's Hospital | 06/07/2026
The Princess of Wales raised smiles as she visited the London-based Evelina Children's Hospital that worked to help some of the capital's sickest youngsters.
Catherine accepted a bouquet of roses from five-year-old Amelie during the visit.
Catherine was blowing a kiss at a young patient at the Westminster facility.
'Are you the Queen?' 10-year-old cardiac patient Ejran queried, before Catherine replied: 'No, I'm the Princess of Wales' during a sweet moment.
Catherine was smelling the roses that Amelie sweetly brought for her.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, speaks to members of the staff as she visits Evelina London Children's Hospital.
During the visit, Catherine spoke to parents of children who have been treated at Evelina.
Catherine was waving at royal well-wishers as she visited the Westminster facility.
Catherine met Arjun and his family at the Edward ward.
The future Queen seemingly bonded with Arjun as Catherine placed a gentle arm on the young boy's shoulder.
Catherine was resplendent in a cream dress from Suzannah London.
Catherine has been a patron of the Evelina Hospital since 2018.
During a visit to Evelina's new cardiac ward, Catherine chatted with 14-year-old Hope.
The future Queen at Evelina Children's Hospital as she warmly greeted patients and staff.
The low-key visit to the hospital, where the future Queen has been patron since 2018, will highlight its work to become London's most comprehensive, integrated children's hospital.
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