Prince Harry is demanding a new trial into Mirror hacking 'as soon as possible' unless his demands for compensation are met
- Harry wants a trial 'as soon as possible', unless the group meets the compensation demands
Prince Harry is facing a second High Court hacking trial against Mirror newspapers, a court heard yesterday.
The Duke of Sussex wants a trial 'as soon as possible' unless the group meets his demands for damages.
Meanwhile, two former Coronation Street stars who fought alongside Harry in the first trial are facing a £242,000 legal bill.
Last year the Duke became the first royal in more than a hundred years to take the witness box at the High Court.
He was the most high-profile of four plaintiffs who accused Mirror Group Newspapers of hacking them for stories.
After the seven-week trial, Harry was partially successful and was awarded £140,000 by the judge. In his landmark ruling last month, Judge Fancourt concluded that 15 of the 33 articles came from hacking.
The Duke of Sussex wants a trial 'as soon as possible' unless the group meets his demands for damages. Pictured: Outside the Supreme Court in June
Last summer, Harry said in court that media interference had seriously affected previous relationships and friendships. Pictured: Outside the Supreme Court in June
But he threw out the remaining seventeen, calling one of them “hopeless.”
The articles were an 'example' of what Harry had complained about. Now the Duke will pursue the remaining 115 in a second trial lasting seven to 10 days.
Last summer, Harry said in court that media interference had seriously affected previous relationships and friendships. After the judge ruled that Harry had been the victim of hacking, the duke declared himself a 'dragon slayer' and vowed to continue his crusade against the press.
The hearing was told yesterday that Harry – who had claimed between £440,000 and £570,000 in damages – and his co-plaintiffs had so far earned £2 million in legal fees.
Ex-Coronation Street actor Michael Turner had claimed £175,000 in damages and was awarded £31,650.
Both actress Nikki Sanderson, who was also in Coronation Street, and Fiona Wightman, the ex-wife of comedian Paul Whitehouse, had their claims rejected because they were filed too late.
The court has not yet dealt with legal costs related to Prince Harry.
But it was revealed he had rejected an offer from the Mirror to settle the case before a costly trial.
Harry's lawyer David Sherborne said the group of claimants had been 'overwhelmingly successful' in the case and his side should receive almost £2 million in costs from the Mirror.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Fancourt said he would make his ruling at a later date.