Prince Harry is demanding a second High Court hacking trial against Mirror newspapers, a court heard yesterday.
The Duke of Sussex wants a trial ‘as soon as possible’ unless the group meets his demands for compensation.
Meanwhile, two former Coronation Street stars who fought alongside Harry at the first trial face a £242,000 legal bill.
Last year the duke became the first royal in over a hundred years to step into the witness box at the High Court.
He was the most high-profile of four claimants accusing Mirror Group Newspapers of hacking them for stories.
After the seven-week trial, Harry was partially successful and was awarded £140,000 by the judge. In his landmark ruling last month, Mr Justice Fancourt concluded that 15 out of 33 articles had come from hacking.
But he threw out the remaining 17, branding one of them ‘hopeless’.
The articles were a ‘sample’ from 148 Harry had complained about. Now the duke will pursue the remaining 115 in a second trial lasting seven to ten days.
In court last summer, Harry said media intrusion had seriously impacted previous relationships and friendships. After the judge ruled Harry had been the victim of hacking, the duke declared himself a ‘dragon slayer’ and vowed to continue his crusade against the Press.
The cost hearing was told yesterday that Harry, who had been seeking between £440,000 and £570,000 in damages, and his fellow claimants had racked up legal fees of £2million so far.
Ex-Coronation Street actor Michael Turner had sought £175,000 in damages, and was awarded £31,650.
Both actress Nikki Sanderson, who was also in Coronation Street, and Fiona Wightman, the ex-wife of comedian Paul Whitehouse, had their claims dismissed because they were made too late.
The court has not yet dealt with legal costs in relation to Prince Harry. But it was revealed that he did turn down an offer from the Mirror to settle the case before a costly trial.
Harry’s lawyer David Sherborne said the claimant group had been ‘overwhelmingly successful’ in the case and that his side should receive nearly £2million in costs from the Mirror.
After hearing both sides’ arguments, Mr Justice Fancourt said he would make his ruling at a later date.
