Prince Harry has received another shocking news from UK as one of the seven claimants in his court case distanced himself from the group after latest defeat.
Sir Simon Hughes, the former Government minister, has separated himself from the other claimants in the unsuccessful privacy lawsuit brought against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).
The group called the costs “eye-watering,” noting they exceeded the pre-trial court-approved budget by £18.6million.
During a costs hearing at the High Court, Sir Simon conveyed through his barrister that he had never intended to go after the publisher and was not waging a campaign against it.
The news appears to be yet another blow to Prince Harry, who shows no sign of backing down in his efforts to convince the authorities that his demand for security and protection is valid.
Citing his past royal and military service, current charitable work, and his position as the son of the British King, Harry argues that while his royal status may have been downsised, the risks associated with it have not.
The former justice minister was among seven high-profile figures alongside Prince Harry, Baroness Lawrence, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, who brought claims alleging journalists had unlawfully obtained information through hacking, bugging and blagging.
Every one of those claims was dismissed in its entirety earlier this month in what was described as a landmark ruling.
Associated Newspapers has stated that defending the four-year legal battle cost £34million, and the group of claimants now face a potentially enormous bill.
2026-08-01 18:25:00
