An Introduction to the Case
The impending trial at the High Court is all set to be a litmus test for the publisher of a tabloid newspaper and a few high-profile individuals, including Prince Harry, who are filing claims against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). They accuse the publisher of indulging in unlawful information gathering at its titles. Interestingly, the trial will have “representative” claimants as “test cases,” which include Harry, adding to the intrigue of the case.
A Cohort of Claimants
Apart from Prince Harry, several other noteworthy figures are also bringing charges against MGN, including singer Cheryl, the late singer George Michael’s estate, ex-footballer and television presenter Ian Wright, and actor Ricky Tomlinson. The other people handpicked for the trial are former Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson, comedian Paul Whitehouse’s ex-wife Fiona Wightman, and actor Michael Turner. This diverse group of individuals will provide varied perspectives and a much-needed burst of ideas to the trial.
MGN’s Objections
MGN is contesting the claims and maintaining that some of them have been filed too late, adding a layer of complexity to the case. This objection by MGN adds a certain level of perplexity to the already complicated trial.
The Witnesses in Question
The lawyers representing the group of claimants have announced that all their witnesses would be giving evidence in person. This decision makes the trial even more intricate, as the witnesses are likely to provide diverse testimonies with a wide range of perplexing information. In June, Prince Harry is expected to give evidence in person, marking his second visit to the High Court this year.
Past Trials and Verdicts
Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) has a history of settling several claims related to unlawful information gathering, which creates a precedent and adds to the perplexity of the case. The only other trial that has taken place during the long-running litigation was in 2015, which involved representative claims brought by former Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati, ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne, and actress Sadie Frost. The outcome of that trial has left a certain level of uncertainty around the present case, making it even more perplexing.
