The Daily Mail publisher has rejected the allegations as ‘simply preposterous’

Prince Harry’s lawyers returned to the High Court today for a pre-trial hearing in preparation for a major legal battle in January.

The hearing commenced at 10am, with Mr Justice Nicklin presiding over the privacy case brought by the Duke of Sussex and six other prominent figures against the Daily Mail publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited.

The claimants include Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes.

They are pursuing legal action over alleged unlawful information gathering by the publisher of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday and MailOnline.

Wednesday’s hearing aimed to address procedural matters ahead of the full trial, which is scheduled to commence in January.

The allegations against ANL span from 1993 to 2011 and encompass a range of purported privacy breaches.

The claimants are accusing the publisher of commissioning private investigators to install listening devices in vehicles and residences, intercepting and recording private telephone conversations, and obtaining confidential medical records through impersonation.

Additional accusations include bribing police officers for sensitive information and illegally accessing financial records and bank accounts.

The Duke of Sussex leaving the Royal Courts of Justice in central London in April this year | PA

ANL has firmly rejected the allegations, characterising them as “simply preposterous” and maintaining a robust defence against the legal action.

During a hearing earlier this month, Antony White KC, representing ANL, accused the claimants’ legal team of employing “camouflage” tactics.

He alleged they had published articles on the Byline website to enable Sir Simon Hughes to claim he had discovered certain information through publication.

David Sherborne, the barrister representing all seven claimants, dismissed this as “simply untrue” and refuted suggestions that his team had been “cherry-picking” documents.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence is the mother of Stephen Lawrence who was stabbed to death in London in 1993 | PA

The publisher has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.

The legal proceedings have been ongoing since 2022, with Mr Justice Nicklin granting permission for the case to proceed to trial in November 2023.

He ruled that ANL had “not been able to deliver a ‘knockout blow’ to the claims of any of these claimants”.

David Sherborne, Harry’s lawyer, arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice | GETTY

A significant development emerged in November when private investigator Gavin Burrows claimed his signature had been forged on a 2021 statement that allegedly confirmed hacking activities.

Five claimants had initiated their legal action based partly on evidence apparently provided by Mr Burrows, who has since reiterated his denial to ANL’s lawyers in September this year.