Connect with us

Prince Harry Under Fire: Allegations of Evidence Destruction in Phone-Hacking Case

Photos: GETTY

All round

Prince Harry Under Fire: Allegations of Evidence Destruction in Phone-Hacking Case

In a stunning turn of events, Prince Harry is facing serious allegations regarding the destruction of potential evidence linked to his ongoing phone-hacking lawsuit against News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun.

This controversy has escalated to the point where Mr. Justice Fancourt has demanded a comprehensive explanation from the Duke of Sussex about the destruction of drafts from his memoir, Spare, as well as messages exchanged with his ghostwriter, JL Moringa.

These deletions occurred after he initiated legal action back in 2019, raising eyebrows and concerns within the legal community.

The judge’s unease is palpable, particularly regarding the timing of these deletions.

The documents and conversations in question likely contained critical references to unlawful information gathering, which is at the heart of the case.

Mr. Justice Fancourt has made it clear that efforts must be made to recover the messages between Harry and Moringa, emphasizing how troubling it is that such deletions happened while the lawsuit was already underway.

Adding another layer of complexity, the judge has instructed Prince Harry’s legal team to get in touch with key figures at Buckingham Palace, including Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s private secretary, and Sir Michael Stevens, the treasurer and keeper of the Privy Purse.

They are required to submit all records of their communications with the Duke.

The stakes are high, as failure to comply could lead to serious accusations against the monarchy itself.

The implications of this case stretch far beyond the courtroom.

Reports indicate that constitutional experts were summoned to Buckingham Palace to discuss the potential fallout.

If the King’s aides do not cooperate, they could face severe consequences, including being accused of perverting the course of justice.

This situation could spiral into a constitutional crisis, placing the monarchy under intense scrutiny.

If it turns out that Prince Harry intentionally destroyed evidence, he could be looking at criminal charges, including perjury.

Such allegations could have profound repercussions, potentially jeopardizing his position as Councillor of State.

However, the Regency Acts of 1943, 1937, and 1953 complicate matters, as Harry retains certain legal rights due to his place in the line of succession.

The publishers involved in the case have made a formal request for various forms of communication, including emails, text messages, and even WhatsApp exchanges sent and received by the Duke.

They are also seeking access to material stored on two encrypted hard drives.

This adds another layer of urgency to the situation, as the lack of documentation provided by Harry’s legal team has raised significant concerns.

The judge has pointed out the remarkable absence of relevant documents, highlighting that a considerable number of potentially important communications were allegedly destroyed between 2021 and 2023, long after the lawsuit had commenced.

In light of this, Mr. Justice Fancourt has called for a witness statement from Prince Harry to clarify what happened to the messages with Moringa and whether any attempts were made to retrieve them.

He remarked on the likelihood that discussions about unlawful information gathering would have taken place in those messages.

If the King’s aides find evidence that Harry deliberately misled or attempted to suppress crucial evidence, the situation could escalate dramatically, leading to significant legal ramifications for the Duke.

More in All round

Top stories today

Popular this week

Popular Topics

Trending this month

To Top
yes