The admission was made in court filings outlining Mirror Group Newspapers defence, in which it said it was contesting claims of "historic" voicemail interception and continuing to argue at trial that Harry and three less-well-known celebrities brought their claims beyond a time limit.But it also admitted that there was "some evidence of the instruction of third parties to engage in other types of UIG in respect of each of the claimants," which includes the Duke.
The activities in question stretch back more than two decades, when journalists and private eyes intercepted voicemails to snoop on members of the royal family, politicians, athletes, celebrities and even crime victims. The hacking was later revealed, creating a scandal. Harry has outlined his grievances against the media in court papers, saying the press hounded him since his earliest days and created a narrative that portrayed him as "the `thicko,' the `cheat,' the `underage drinker."' His relationships with girlfriends were wrecked by "the entire tabloid press as a third party."
He asserted he was barred from bringing a case against The Sun and other newspapers owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch because of a "secret agreement" -- allegedly approved of by Queen Elizabeth II -- that called for reaching a private settlement and getting an apology.