Scotland Yard accused of turning blind eye to Prince Harry phone hacking

Scotland Yard has been accused of turning a blind eye to a High Court ruling that found Prince Harry's phone had been hacked.

The Duke of Sussex called on the police to investigate Mirror Group Newspapers last December after a judge awarded him almost £150,000 (approx. $300,307) in damages for unlawful information gathering.

In a statement issued at the time, the Metropolitan Police said it would "carefully consider" the judgment.

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But, more than 12 months on, the police have still not responded, prompting a source from the claimant's side to question how the force could "turn a blind eye to such a blatant corporate cover-up".

The well-placed source told The Telegraph: "It beggars belief that despite the High Court's damning findings of widespread and habitual phone-hacking at Mirror Group Newspapers, the Metropolitan Police have done nothing.

"Over a year has passed since new evidence emerged, yet there's been no investigation and no prosecution."

Mr Justice Fancourt found that phone-hacking had become "widespread and habitual" at MGN titles from 1998 and remained "extensive" from 2006 until 2011, "even to some extent during the Leveson Inquiry."

He also ruled that editors knew about voicemail interception and unlawful information gathering.

The royal hailed his partial victory as "vindicating and affirming", calling it "a great day for truth, as well as accountability".

He said: "I respectfully call upon the authorities, the financial regulator, the stock market who were deliberately deceived by Mirror Group, and indeed the Metropolitan Police and prosecuting authorities to do their duty for the British public and to investigate bringing charges against the company and those who have broken the law."

Scotland Yard has repeatedly acknowledged the ruling but suggested no decision had been made about whether to pursue further action.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of the High Court judgment, but will be making no further comment at this time."

The source added in response: "How can a country that claims to value justice and integrity turn a blind eye to such a blatant corporate cover-up within the British press?

"Especially when it's been proven some of them so casually lied under oath during the Leveson inquiry.

"Victims have waited far too long for answers and it's past time that authorities act to restore trust by reopening this investigation."

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The force would be unlikely to welcome another high-profile investigation into a British newspaper group.

Almost 150 detectives were drafted in to work full time on the three inquiries launched in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.

At its height, Operation Weeting, which was set up to look specifically at voicemail interception at the now defunct News of the World, had 72 full-time officers working on the case.

Operation Elveden, which was tasked with examining allegations of corruption between journalists and public officials, had 60 officers, while Operation Tuleta, set up to look at allegations of computer hacking had 17 dedicated officers.

The investigations led to the conviction of former News of the World editor Andy Coulson, the closure of the 168-year-old News of the World and moves to change the way newspapers are regulated.

Just 12 journalists were prosecuted for offences relating to phone-hacking, with nine convicted.

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The overall cost to the taxpayer is thought to have exceeded £40 million.

The Duke vowed last year to plough on with his crusade against the tabloid press, saying: "I've been told that slaying dragons will get you burned but, in light of today's victory and the importance of doing what is needed for a free and honest press, it is a worthwhile price to pay. The mission continues."

In January comes the launch of an eight-week trial against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, during which the Duke could face four days of "extensive" questioning.

Prince Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson are suing News Group Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering and invasion of privacy.

The Duke has continued with the expensive litigation despite efforts from his father to bring it to a close.

He will argue at trial that the King "acted to discourage and stymie him" from pursuing the claim, the court has heard.

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Meanwhile, a trial of his claims against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, is likely to be heard in January 2026.

The Duke joked during an event in New York in early December that he had become a "professional" litigant but said he planned to "retire" soon.

© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2024

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