Gransnet forums

News & politics

Prince Harry v The Mirror in phone hacking case

(578 Posts)
lemsip Sun 04-Jun-23 08:17:31

When Prince Harry gives evidence in the Mirror phone-hacking trial on Tuesday, he will become the first senior royal to be cross-examined in court since the 19th century. Based on what happened earlier in the trial, it is unlikely the prince will enjoy the experience.

eazybee Tue 06-Jun-23 13:01:19

William who underwent the same treatment, and Catherine appear to have survived the intrusion into their private lives, as has King Charles.

I am not condoning the press intrusion, but feel that they have preserved their dignity, whereas Harry appears, according to today's testimony, all 55 pages worth, to be throwing himself to the wolves.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 06-Jun-23 12:55:20

Especially not when there’s a buck to be made by selling it.

Lathyrus Tue 06-Jun-23 12:54:12

Ha, ha, Private information shared with one or two rarely remains that😬

Anniebach Tue 06-Jun-23 12:53:03

Had to attack his family yet again

Smileless2012 Tue 06-Jun-23 12:48:25

hmm "When private information that I have only shared with one or two people ends up on the front page of a newspaper - your circle of friends starts to shrink and diminish" and when it's private information only shared with family members, your circle of family starts to shrink and diminish too.

Pooter Tue 06-Jun-23 12:42:57

Glorianny

Can we correct some of the misinformation on this thread please. The Mirror has not admitted to hacking Harry's phone.
Their KC
Andrew Green KC said there was no evidence that hacking of Harry’s phone took place. “Zilch, zero, nil, de nada, niente, nothing,” he said.

The Mirror KC isn't in that quote actually denying that hacking of Harry's phone by them took place, he's simply claiming there's no currently available evidence it did.

Which could be reasonably interpreted as him saying, if hacking did take place then the onus is on you to prove it. That is not the Mirror denying the offence, rather it's a comment on where the legal burden of proof with regard to offending lies.

"Absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence".

Lathyrus Tue 06-Jun-23 12:42:54

Are the lawyers going to subpoena Chelsey do you think?

Smileless2012 Tue 06-Jun-23 12:40:55

It's OK Sparklefizz Mr. S. has found it and it doesn't look very good for Harry.

Smileless2012 Tue 06-Jun-23 12:31:01

Do you have a link Sparklefizz or can you tell me where to find it?

Lathyrus Tue 06-Jun-23 12:09:07

Glorianny

Can we correct some of the misinformation on this thread please. The Mirror has not admitted to hacking Harry's phone.
Their KC
Andrew Green KC said there was no evidence that hacking of Harry’s phone took place. “Zilch, zero, nil, de nada, niente, nothing,” he said.

Then he’s been very unwise to involve himself in a case where other claimants do have proof.

It’s given the lawyers for the defensive an additional argument against him and his claim, whereas other claimants do have proof.

Which is why the claim has proceeded on the accusation that the Board is liable.

Sparklefizz Tue 06-Jun-23 12:05:00

Just read a transcript of the cross examination of Harry in the court so far this morning and he doesn't seem to be doing too well, relying more on feelings than facts. He can't just speak "his truth".

Glorianny Tue 06-Jun-23 11:23:59

WellsRose

It's worrying thatwe live in a world where Royalists and celebrity watchers are so obsessed with gossip that the press will stop at nothing to get a story.

It is. It's also worrying that people can't see the difference between having a public profile and living a private life. It seems if you are in the news, no matter who you are, the public have the right scrutinise every aspect of your life.

WellsRose Tue 06-Jun-23 11:13:40

It's worrying thatwe live in a world where Royalists and celebrity watchers are so obsessed with gossip that the press will stop at nothing to get a story.

Glorianny Tue 06-Jun-23 10:58:01

eazybee

This morning's DT listed some of the claims he is making, many very trivial and easily refuted; why can he not see that this will only intensify press interest in him? It won't stop the press hounding him and there won't always be money at the end of it.

If your DS had his life constantly interfered with, and at age 19 had private messages between him and his girlfriend read and circulated, leading to her saying she didn't want to see him anymore, wouldn't you think he was due some sort of apology or recognition of the wrong done? Or do you think the press has an absolute right to pry into anyone's private life?
The usual standard required for investigating and writing news stories is that it is in the public interest. Quite how Harry's love life comes into that I don't know.

Smileless2012 Tue 06-Jun-23 10:55:24

Isn't intensifying the presses interest in him what he wants though eazybee?

WellsRose Tue 06-Jun-23 10:54:34

The press are never going to stop hounding him ever. He makes them a lot of money .
What claims do you consider trivial and easily refuted?

Glorianny Tue 06-Jun-23 10:51:45

Can we correct some of the misinformation on this thread please. The Mirror has not admitted to hacking Harry's phone.
Their KC
Andrew Green KC said there was no evidence that hacking of Harry’s phone took place. “Zilch, zero, nil, de nada, niente, nothing,” he said.

eazybee Tue 06-Jun-23 10:50:48

This morning's DT listed some of the claims he is making, many very trivial and easily refuted; why can he not see that this will only intensify press interest in him? It won't stop the press hounding him and there won't always be money at the end of it.

WellsRose Tue 06-Jun-23 10:37:27

Are Doreen Lawrence, Hugh Grant and Elton John only after blood as well then? Good luck to them all I say. I'd be after blood if someone hacked my phone calls. How rude and entitled. You do know what they did to Millie Dowler's parents.

Is he bringing his mum into it becauae her phone was hacked. What's the problem with that exactly?

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 06-Jun-23 10:09:39

It has been called out WellsRose. This case is about who in the newspaper hierarchy knew what was happening, Harry simply wants blood and has even dragged his mother into this - as usual.

WellsRose Tue 06-Jun-23 10:06:14

maddyone

Good post DiamondLily. The only thing I would add is that by taking the layout, William avoided the media circus and the whole thing was more discreet. I understand he donated the money to charity and so at least the charity benefited.

Should it be discreet though? Phone hacking has affected the parents of murdered children. It's disgraceful and should be called out as publicly as possible.

Is there proof William donated the money to charity?

Anniebach Tue 06-Jun-23 10:04:26

Puzzled why telephone calls between two people long time dead has been brought into a claim

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 06-Jun-23 10:02:12

Indeed. It’s going to be very tough and personally I think that he hasn’t thought this through at all. He most certainly won’t get favourable treatment and will see no deference to his status.

maddyone Tue 06-Jun-23 09:53:49

I think that will be interesting GSM. The barrister is not named Oprah Winfrey.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 06-Jun-23 09:50:02

eazybee

I agree that hacking is not the issue, it is whether senior members of the newspaper knew it was taking place and condoned it.

I still think H's behaviour was discourteous.

I don't remember him being like this before he left England to live in America, but perhaps his staff always made sure he was in the right place at the right time.

I agree that his behaviour was discourteous. He has become an entitled, self-obsessed brat. I’m looking forward to hearing how he stands up to cross-examination.