Ruling due in Prince Harry’s phone hacking case

Welcome to Friday’s Early Edition from i.

Prince Harry’s week didn’t get off to a particularly good start. On Monday, the Duke of Sussex was ordered to pay more than £48,000 to Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Mail on Sunday, after losing a court challenge. (You can read more about that case here). Now his week is ending with another court ruling, once again in a case involving newspapers, but in this instance the publishers of the Daily Mirror. Today’s decision will be a momentous one for those – not just Prince Harry – bringing claims of phone hacking against the group. The trial, which started seven months ago, saw Prince Harry become the first senior royal to be cross-examined in court since the 19th century. During his two days of evidence, he asked: “How much more blood will stain their typing fingers before someone can put a stop to this madness?” The High Court also heard that Prince Harry would feel “some injustice” if the judge ultimately finds he is not a victim of phone hacking. What is the case about, and what could a ruling either way mean? We’ll take a look after the headlines.

Today’s news, and why it matters

 Rishi Sunak’s economic strategy for the next election is under threat from high interest rates and the danger of persistent inflation. The Prime Minister has promised to continue cutting taxes, but economists have warned that if he does so, it will increase the risk of interest rates remaining at their current elevated level – cancelling out the effect of the tax cut for many people.

The Prime Minister’s independent ethics adviser has introduced new rules requiring ministers to declare outside work before taking up government roles following lobbying claims against David Cameron. In the first register of ministerial interests since July, Sir Laurie Magnus introduced a new clause stating that ministers should “provide additional information in a number of areas” including “recent previous employment that may be perceived to have a bearing on their ministerial portfolio”.

A charity has launched a legal challenge against the Government’s use of a former military base to house hundreds of asylum seekers. In its High Court submission, Care4Calais has claimed suicidal intentions among migrants at MDP Wethersfield are being unaddressed by authorities.

Britain’s supplies of critical minerals vital to industry are vulnerable to countries like China because of the failure of successive UK governments to secure them, MPs have warned. Key minerals such as cobalt and lithium, essential in the manufacture of goods ranging from electric vehicle batteries to wind turbines, are dominated by Chinese firms, leaving the UK exposed to any moves by Beijing to restrict exports for political leverage.

BBC News insiders have backed the incoming chairman’s pledge to end the “psychodrama” over Gary Lineker – but fear the row will only be resolved with the star’s departure. This week, Samir Shah said he believed the presenter breached the BBC’s social media guidelines this week when he ridiculed Tory MPs including Grant Shapps.

The bill for essential repairs across the NHS estate climbed to almost £12bn last year, with trust leaders saying hospitals are “falling to bits”. The new maintenance backlog figure reflects how much it would cost to restore buildings to certain standards, covering everything from leaky gutters to faulty lifts and the very fabric of hospital buildings.

Postal workers have warned that first-class letters are unlikely to arrive on time this Christmas despite the cost of stamps soaring. Posties claimed letters and parcels that people pay to track are being sent ahead of first class post – which is now “not worth it”, one claimed.

Three key questions on Prince Harry’s phone hacking ruling:

What is the case about? Prince Harry is suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), the publisher of the Daily Mirror, the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, for damages over alleged unlawful information gathering. The claims are being made alongside allegations by Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson, comedian Paul Whitehouse’s ex-wife, Fiona Wightman, and actor Michael Turner (known as Michael Le Vell), who all gave evidence at the trial. In June, the Duke told the High Court he believed MGN reporters hacked his voicemail, secured information through deception and hired private investigators to carry out illegal activities. He claims journalists were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called “blagging” or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities. The prince blamed the intrusion for the breakdown of his relationship with a long-term girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, and said MGN had sown the distrust in his relationship with Prince William. You can read more about his testimony here. He and his legal team have highlighted 140 articles published between 1996 and 2010 by MGN titles, with 33 being considered at the trial (the full list is here). Lawyers for MGN said that the publisher “unreservedly apologises” to the Duke for one instance of unlawful information gathering, and that it accepts he was entitled to “appropriate compensation” of £500. It denied any other wrongdoing in relation to him. MGN’s lawyer Andrew Green, suggested some of the personal information in the stories about Prince Harry had come from, or was given with the consent of, senior Buckingham Palace aides, or was based on details already made public in other articles.

What happens if he wins? His lawyers have argued that he should be awarded up to £320,000 in compensation over the alleged misuse of his private information and another £120,000 for unlawful information gathering. If he is completely successful, he may, among other things, get to thank a legal precedent set in 1722 by a chimney sweep. It would no doubt be a personal victory too, for a royal who feels his life has been severely impacted by the actions of the press. But it may have another effect – allowing dozens of other potential claims to come forward. There are about 100 other claimants including actors, sports stars, celebrities who believe they are the victims of phone-hacking and unlawful information-gathering between the same period of 1991 and 2011. And also importantly, it could have serious ramifications for MGN, which the BBC reports may have already spent £100m on damages and legal costs over previous hacking cases.

What happens if he loses? Given there is not just one ruling due today – but numerous – it is likely that the prince or the papers may claim some victories and some losses. Mr Justice Fancourt, who delivers his ruling from 10.30am today, has had to weigh up whether the allegations are proven on the balance of probabilities, which is a lesser standard of proof to that required in a criminal trial. Prince Harry could face losing significant sums in court fees if he is not successful, depending on the type of agreement he has with his lawyers. And as Jennie Bond writes: “Win or lose, though, Prince Harry has achieved one of his aims, which is to show that words do hurt and that there are human consequences to what is written. If he wins, then certain journalists will have to take a long, hard look at themselves. If he loses, then he may feel vindicated in his assertion that the Palace has sometimes cosied up all too readily to the tabloids. Perhaps, in the end, it could be a win/win for the battling Prince.”

Around the world

 LGBTQ Saudis who fled the country in fear of their lives have lambasted Jordan Henderson for transferring to Al-Ettifaq earlier this year for a reported £700,000 a week. In an investigation by i into the human rights abuses of sexual and gender minorities in Saudi Arabia, LGBTQ Saudis have accused Henderson of “orientalism”, of prioritising money over human rights, and of having a “white saviour complex”.

A €50bn package in financial aid for Ukraine from the EU has been vetoed by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban just hours after the bloc agreed to open membership talks with Kyiv. On Thursday European Union leaders took the historic step of agreeing to start accession negotiations with a country at war, bypassing objections from Orban by getting him to leave the room.

Security services in northern Europe have arrested four alleged Hamas operatives and at least three more people over alleged plans to attack Jews. Police in Germany and Denmark said they had foiled plots to launch terrorist attacks, including on Jewish institutions.

A British boy who has not been seen since his mother and grandfather allegedly abducted him in Spain six years ago has been found alive and well in France, prosecutors say. Alex Batty, from Oldham in Lancashire, was 11 when he did not return from a family holiday to Spain with his mother Melanie and grandfather David in 2017.

What the West got wrong in encouraging Ukraine to reject peace and fight Russia. Observers and officials say the war could have ended mere months after it began had it not been for the West encouraging Kyiv to fight to the finish, reports Taz Ali.

Larry David has announced that his award-winning comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm is permanently ending next season. The show, which ran for 25 years, was HBO’s longest-running comedy.

A woman in Sydney, Australia has been charged with stealing a delivery van packed with 10,000 Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Police found the vehicle abandoned a week later – along with thousands of spoiled doughnuts. It is unclear if she knew the van contained the goods.

 Watch out for…

 the Sydney Opera House, which will have its sails lit up in honour of Barry Humphries following a state memorial for the late entertainer. 

 Thoughts for the day

 Kemi Badenoch can be the next Tory leader – but she is her own worst enemy. The Business and Trade Secretary’s ruthless attack on a Labour MP endears her to some colleagues, but worries others, reveals Paul Waugh.

Mortgage owners should be careful what they wish for. The downward trend in mortgages rates won’t continue, warns Vicky Spratt.

Is there anything more tragic than a cocktail in a can? A cocktail in a can is just a drink, and a potent one at that, writes Clare Finney.

Culture Break

 Ken Loach: “Keir Starmer is a man of no principles”. The voice of socially conscious cinema talks to Shaun Curran about the “gross inequality” at the base of his latest film, The Old Oak; his tussle with Keir Starmer and accusations of antisemitism.

The Big Read

 Drones, foam, water, and bombs: Inside Israel’s war on Hamas’s underground empire. Another city has been created below Gaza, and Israel is using innovative methods to destroy it, reports Kieron Monks.

Sport

 “I can tell my kids a Charlton player beat Haaland to a goalscoring record”. Charlton Athletic striker Alfie May is one goal ahead of City superstar Erling Haaland in the race for most scored in 2023.

Something to brighten your day

 Top chefs’ favourite Christmas shortcuts (and they include tinned potatoes). Make the freezer your friend and delegate: Claire Finney asks the foodies for the shortcuts they take on 25 December.