In a declaration, an Associated Newspapers representative described it as an «overwhelming triumph for the Daily Mail and its journalists» and a «powerful confirmation of the paper’s journalistic efforts.»
The UK High Court rejected Prince Harry’s privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, on Tuesday.
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Harry, alongside six others—including singer Elton John—initiated the lawsuit against the publisher, each asserting they were victims of illegal information gathering for published articles.
They alleged that Associated, which denied any misconduct, obtained private and sensitive data using methods such as phone hacking and hiring private investigators.
In the written judgment released on Tuesday, Mr Justice Nicklin stated the claimants had «not succeeded in proving their allegations» and emphasized that the court could not presume information was gathered unlawfully if legal methods might also explain its acquisition.
«Suspicion alone, even if understandable, was insufficient. The claimants needed to demonstrate that the contested information was secured unlawfully,» the ruling explained. «The court dismissed the notion that just because information was private, and Associated could not explicitly clarify its source, the article must have been sourced illegally.»
Nicklin noted that Associated journalists provided «lawful accounts for how the disputed articles and events were sourced.» Additionally, he dismissed accusations that three senior Associated executives had provided false testimony during the 2011-2012 Leveson Inquiry into the British press’s culture, practices, and ethics.
An Associated Newspapers spokesperson described the outcome as an «overwhelming victory for the Daily Mail and its journalists,» calling it a «strong validation of the paper’s journalism.»
They further characterized allegations involving bugs installed in vehicles and homes, wiretapping, and unauthorized access to bank accounts as «sensational» and «absurd,» noting that «no credible evidence was ever submitted.»
The legal battle cost Associated over £50 million in legal fees, which the publisher intends to recover, the spokesperson added.
Prince Harry has reportedly called the verdict «completely unjustified» and a «whitewash.»
«This is a total and clear whitewash, though regrettably not unexpected,» Harry stated in a joint release with Doreen Lawrence, another claimant in the lawsuit.