Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
The legal dispute between Prince Harry and Mirror Group Newspapers continues, with a former journalist testifying in the UK High Court that a 2004 article revealing Prince Harry’s relationship with Chelsy Davy was obtained through legitimate means. Prince Harry alleges unlawful acquisition of private information, while Mirror Group denies the claims.
Prince Harry is among the claimants in a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, accusing the newspaper of engaging in unlawful information-gathering practices. The trial, spanning six to seven weeks, involves several high-profile individuals seeking justice for invasion of privacy. Prince Harry’s specific claim revolves around a 2004 article that disclosed his relationship with Chelsy Davy, referred to as a “mystery blonde” at the time.
During the trial, Anthony Harwood, a former news editor at the Daily Mirror, testified regarding the circumstances surrounding the article concerning Chelsy Davy. Harwood stated that he covered Prince Harry’s holiday in Argentina in November 2004 and learned about the prince’s “13-day bender” through reliable sources. The article mentioned a “mystery blonde,” later identified by the Mail on Sunday as Chelsy Davy. Harwood firmly asserts that the story was obtained lawfully and involved no illicit means.
The Mirror Group Newspapers vehemently denies the claimants’ allegations, refuting any involvement in illicit activities such as voicemail interception or the engagement of private investigators for unlawful purposes. The company contends that its board members were unaware of such practices and argues that the evidence presented by the four representative cases, including Prince Harry, is insufficient to support their claims.
During cross-examination, David Sherborne, representing Prince Harry, interrogated Harwood about his possession of phone numbers belonging to prominent individuals, including David Beckham and Ian Botham. Sherborne suggested that these numbers were used for hacking or blagging purposes. However, Harwood vehemently denied these allegations, emphasizing that the numbers were solely part of his professional contact list.
Sherborne presented evidence of payments authorized by Harwood to a private investigator notorious for gathering information by rummaging through celebrities’ trash. Harwood acknowledged approving these payments but maintained that he had no reason to believe the investigator was involved in unlawful activities. He clarified that the approval process involved a tick box system due to the high volume of payments, with only significant or unusual transactions receiving thorough scrutiny.
As Prince Harry’s legal battle against Mirror Group Newspapers unfolds, the former Daily Mirror journalist’s testimony plays a significant role in determining whether the article on Prince Harry’s relationship with Chelsy Davy was obtained lawfully. The trial continues to shed light on the legal issues surrounding privacy rights and journalistic practices.
