LONDON (Reuters) – Prince Harry settled his lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers (NGN) over the illegal collection of information, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Harry's lawyer said the deal was made after NGN agreed to pay huge damages and admitted that Harry, the youngest son of Britain's King Charles, was a victim of illegal behavior by the Sun and was abused over the phone at the hands of the media. The world.
Harry and former High Commissioner Tom Watson were both plaintiffs in the case.
Below is the text of NGN's statement of claim:
“NGN offers a full and unproven apology to the Duke of Sussex for the deep penetration of the Sun between 1996 and 2011 in his private life, including the incidents of illegal activities carried out by private investigators working for the Sun.
NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators commissioned by the world news.
NGN further apologizes to the Duke for the impact on him of extensive coverage and aggressive intrusion into his private life and the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, especially during his youth.
We acknowledge and apologize for the distress caused to Duke, and the damage done to relationships, friendships and family, and we have agreed to pay him substantial damages.
It is also acknowledged, without admitting that it is illegal, that NGN's response to the 2006 arrest and subsequent actions was regrettable.
NGN also offers a full and unconditional apology to Lord Watson for the unwanted intrusion into his private life during his time in Government by News of the World during 2009-2011.
This includes being monitored in 2009 by News of the World journalists and their mentors. NGN also acknowledges and apologizes for the negative impact this has had on Lord Watson's family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.
In addition, in 2011 News International received information that information was being secretly passed to Lord Watson within News International. We now understand that this information was false, and that Lord Watson did not receive any confidential information. NGN fully and unreservedly apologize for this. ”