Hugh Grant has settled his lawsuit against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, over claims of illegal phone tapping and burglary. The settlement comes without an admission of liability by NGN, amidst ongoing legal battles involving other high-profile figures, including Prince Harry.
British actor Hugh Grant announced on Wednesday that he has reached a settlement in his lawsuit against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun, over allegations of phone tapping and burglary. Grant, known for his roles in “Love Actually,” “Paddington 2,” and “Notting Hill,” has been a vocal advocate for press reform following the phone-hacking scandal that first came to light over a decade ago.
Grant and Prince Harry, the son of King Charles, had jointly filed claims against NGN, accusing the publisher of engaging in illegal activities such as tapping landlines, committing burglary, and “blagging” confidential information. Although Grant’s case was set to go to trial at London’s High Court in January, he opted for a settlement. On the social media platform X, Grant noted, “News Group are claiming they are entirely innocent of the things I had accused the Sun of doing. As is common with entirely innocent people, they are offering me an enormous sum of money to keep this matter out of court.”
NGN has agreed to the settlement “without admission of liability,” stating, “It is in both parties’ financial interests not to progress to a costly trial.” This isn’t Grant’s first lawsuit against NGN; he previously settled with the publisher in 2012 regarding the now-defunct News of the World, which closed following a scandal that prompted an apology from NGN to the victims.
Despite the settlement, NGN maintains its innocence, with a spokesperson asserting, “The Sun does not accept liability or make any admissions to the allegations.” Grant expressed a reluctance to settle, preferring to have his claims tested in court. However, he highlighted the financial risk of potentially incurring legal fees, saying, “Rupert Murdoch’s lawyers are very expensive. So even if every allegation is proven in court, I would still be liable for something approaching 10 million pounds in costs. I’m afraid I am shying at that fence.”
The actor plans to donate the settlement funds to lobby groups like Hacked Off, which opposes press intrusion. Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s lawsuit continues, with the prince vocally criticizing the British press and seeking accountability, including allegations against Murdoch himself. The outcome of these ongoing legal battles could significantly impact NGN’s ability to avoid trial for claims of unlawful information-gathering.
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