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

I wish you all the best @GwendolineFairfax8- I can’t imagine the stress of waiting so long and the case then being rescheduled for 6 months. That’s very tough for you. I hope you find enough peace and strength to see you through. Take care of yourself.

That is so kind - thank you x

www.reuters.com/world/judgment-expected-july-7-prince-harrys-legal-battle-against-mail-publisher-2026-07-01/

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👏👏🤞🏻

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Bang in the middle of PH faux royal tour. On that Tuesday he is hosting an IG event at Chatham House 1pm, on St James Square - all info helpfully shared on Twitter by one of the SS invitees.

So much for security concerns.

🙌🏻

Thank you for the update 🍿

From memory, they all did a good job of looking dodgy AF. Especially the solicitor one whom the judge advised against incriminating himself.

Tuesday cannot come fast enough, I so wish I could reveal who I was but I can’t. I am so glad and thankful for this thread. It is so respectful and decent x

Now you have done it!!!
I’m dying with curiosity!!! 🤔🤣

Am sure the judgement cannot come back in favour of the claimants but deeply hoping it does not. It would be sickening to find they somehow have a victory in this, but it seems so unlikely based on the evidence we saw presented.

Oh, you can tell us. Just whisper it.

I really wish I could. I truly do. I feel bad for saying it now. You are welcome to guess ❤️

Bang in the middle of PH faux royal tour

Oh god yes @Twisterr

Not having been there to hear all the evidence I'm assuming nothing, but if Harry loses it won't be easy to keep a good face on things in full public view, and even if he already knows the result the media aren't in full cry on the subject yet

I am looking forward to reading the judgement. It's been a fascinating case, because, purely going by the reporting, I couldn't really see why it went to trial. It will be so interesting to hear what the judge has to say about the evidence and how he decided.

If evidence wasn't gathered by illegal means I hope they (Sherborne's clients) lose, if it was, I hope they win.

You've said we can guess so...

Do you like watching films with people you definitely are not friends with?

You're not C G-string, are you? 😁

Yes, I'm looking forward to reading it.

I couldn't see, from what we was reported, that any of the claimants had g=hard evidence, so it will be interesting to see how Judge Nicklin sums the evidence up for each one (and also if the outcome is the same for each, or differs).

I really do want there to be some general comment on the importance of press freedom, as well.

ETA I should have said that obviously I agree with your last point.

Nope!

I agree. This is very important. There is a common theme that has run through this case and I really do believe the Judge has picked up on it. From a solicitor who has admitted to not seeing a witness sign a document to several people complaining about prescribed or pre-written statements and subsequent fall outs when people dare question it. Then there is the method in the gathering of so called evidence and the evidence showing that many people knew far earlier they had a potential claim. Operation Bluebird.

For me, the most telling parts of the case come from comments made by the Judge. For example ‘ It is surprising there is not one document’ or ‘take Burrows away, what evidence do you have’. He was incredulous when he discovered a Solicitor had given a member of the so-called research team an email address from a Lawyer’s firm and that the same Solicitor did not see the *witness sign. The Practice Directions are there for a reason. This case has been built on lies and innocent people and their families have had their lives ruined for these past years. Time thst people will never get back. All because of a vendetta connected to people with one clear aim. And that is dangerous and deeply concerning to me.

I agree with you 100% - this case has been built on big fat lies. I’m so sorry innocent people have been hurt by it.

Justice has to prevail surely.

I really do believe it will X

@AgileRobin

I really believe it too X
I like your username 😎