Prince Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, has criticised News Group Newspapers (NGN), accusing them of engaging in a “classic fishing expedition” looking for the documents that must They have long requested a trial scheduled for January.
This statement came after the duke was ordered on Thursday to conduct broader searches for emails, text messages and other material that could be relevant to his claim against NGN. The concern is that some evidence may have been destroyed.
According to the Independent, David said: “NGN’s tactical and slow approach to disclosure completely undermines the deliberately sensational claim that the complainant (Harry) has failed to properly carry out the disclosure exercise. “This is not true. Indeed, the complainant has already made it clear that it has conducted extensive searches, going beyond its obligations.”
Prince Harry, the youngest son of King Charles, along with more than 40 others, is suing NGN over allegations of illegal activities by journalists and private investigators. As part of the suit, the Duke of Sussex has now been ordered to reveal why and how drafts of his memoir, “Spare,” and messages exchanged with his ghostwriter were destroyed “long after” he launched the lawsuit against NGN in 2019.
Sherborne’s statement highlights the legal team’s frustration with NGN’s approach, which implies that document requests are a last-minute attempt to gather information that should have been requested much earlier in the legal process. This tactic, often referred to as a “fishing expedition”, is seen as a strategy to uncover new evidence without a clear direction or purpose, suggesting that NGN is struggling to find any potentially useful material for its defence.
The ongoing legal battle between Prince Harry and NGN have attracted significant public attention.not only because of the plaintiff’s high profile, but also because of serious allegations of unlawful conduct by a major media group. The case is part of a larger narrative about privacy, media ethics and the limits to which journalists and researchers can go in pursuing stories about public figures.
As the trial date approaches, both sides are bracing for what promises to be a closely watched courtroom drama. The requirement that Prince Harry reveal details about the destruction of drafts of his memoirs and communications with his ghostwriter adds a new layer of complexity to the case. It raises questions about the handling of potentially crucial evidence and the implications it may have on the outcome of the lawsuit.
As Sherborne’s strong words underscore the tension between the sides, the January trial will be a major event, shedding light on media practices and individuals’ rights to privacy and fair treatment. As more details emerge, the public and legal observers will be closely watching the proceedings to see how this high-stakes legal confrontation plays out.
