The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has dropped a defamation claim he filed against the publisher of the Mail.
His decision to do so could reportedly cost the publisher up to $316,000 in legal costs. He was previously ordered to pay $62,000 after part of the case was thrown out last month by the court.
Prince Harry Withdraws Case Before Handing Over Important Documents
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In what many may see as a surprising move, Prince Harry is no longer pursuing his defamation claim against the Mail’s publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited, per reports.
The founder of the Invictus Games has sued the organization over an article in the Mail on Sunday which discussed its security arrangements in the UK. Harry claimed that the article suggested that he had “inappropriately and cynically attempted to manipulate and mislead public opinion.” Duke also felt the piece was “an attack on his honesty and integrity.”
However, he now appears to have changed his mind about continuing the case, as his team filed a quit notice hours before the deadline to submit a list of documents.
Nothing is known about the documents, but it is believed that they may eventually be shown in the trial. Obviously, it was something he thought twice about switching to. Duke and his lawyers also did not disclose why they chose to withdraw the case.
Duke Has Previously Suffered Losses Regarding Lawsuits
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The latest development comes a month after Harry suffered a major loss as his lawyers failed to convince a court to dismiss one of the main claims made by the publisher to defend himself.
Lawyers for ANL argued that the article, written in February 2022, expressed an “honest opinion” and in no way put Harry’s reputation in serious jeopardy.”
The judge in the case, Mr Justice Nicklin, agreed with their claim, ruling against the duke and setting the matter for a potential libel trial.
Nicklin said in his ruling that ANL had “a real prospect of success in showing that an honest person could hold the view that the claimant [the duke] responsible for trying to mislead and mislead the public as to the true position.”
Following the loss, Harry was ordered to pay $62,000 to the publisher in legal fees. His decision to drop the case entirely means he may have to pay $316,000 in legal costs.
Prince Harry’s Suit Against the Home Office Continues
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Meanwhile, Harry’s case against the Home Office continues. In a previous court appearance, the duke’s lawyers claimed that the Home Office Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) acted improperly when they reduced Harry’s security.
The lawyer further stated that the committee did not carry out a risk analysis and fully assess the impact of a “successful attack” on the duke, according to Daily Mail. He also said that his client was “picked on” and treated “poorly” without “good reason” for such actions.
Lawyers representing the committee, meanwhile, argued that it was Ravec’s right to choose “a more ordered, more precise, targeted assessment” of Harry’s safety. He also mentioned that doing so was not treating Harry badly. A decision date on Harry’s legal action against the Home Office remains unknown.
Prince Harry Just Won Case Against Mirror Publishers
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In December, the high court ruled in favor of the duke in his case against the Mirror Group Newspapers, according to BBC.
Harry has claimed in his suit that the publication illegally hacked his phone to gather information for their write-up about him. The court eventually ruled that 15 of the 33 stories examined during the trial were written with the help of the “widespread and common” use of phone hacking at the Mirror newspaper.
As a result, Prince Harry was awarded around $180,000 in damages incurred by the publishing action. In a statement after the victory, the duli reprimanded others involved in such acts and emphasized the importance of his victory.
Harry said, “This case is not just about hacking – it is about a systemic practice of unlawful and appalling behaviour, followed by concealment and destruction of evidence, the staggering scale of which can only be revealed through these proceedings.”
He added, “I’ve been told that killing a dragon will cause you to burn. But given today’s victory and the importance of doing what it takes for a free and honest press – it’s a price worth paying.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
