They include suggestions that solicitors were involved in a “camouflage scheme” to conceal when two of the claimants, Sir Simon Hughes and Sadie Frost, first knew they had a potential claim.
The law prevents claims being brought more than six years after the claimant became aware of an allegation.
Elsewhere, key witness Gavin Burrows, the private investigator whose disputed evidence was instrumental in persuading many of the claimants to sue, is expected to claim his signature was forged.
According to documents lodged with the court by Associated, the evidence-gathering techniques used by Prince Harry’s legal team included huge cash payments – some made weekly, some promised for life – alleged threats, and blackmail.
Potential witnesses are said to have been tracked down and repeatedly harassed before being offered money to get on board.
Dragon Slayer
Meanwhile, the Duke will be hoping to emulate past successes, having declared himself a dragon slayer after the High Court found evidence of “widespread and habitual” use of phone hacking at the Mirror Group Newspapers in December 2023.
He also hailed a “monumental victory” after accepting an eleventh-hour settlement from News Group Newspapers in January 2025.
In his first witness statement, dated February 2023, the Duke said that if an influential newspaper company such as Associated Newspapers could successfully evade justice “the whole country is doomed”.
He also railed against what he claimed was the “unchecked power, influence and criminality” of the media group.
Associated Newspapers is a subsidiary of Daily Mail and General Trust, Lord Rothermere’s holding company, which has agreed to acquire The Telegraph for £500m. The proposed takeover is expected to face regulatory scrutiny over the coming weeks.
The Duke’s personal crusade against the tabloid press has marked one of the defining themes of his life since splitting from the Royal family.
Over the course of his various legal battles, he has disclosed many private emails between palace staff and has made digs at senior aides he did not see eye to eye with.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
