Newspaper group Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) denies hacking phones to obtain voicemail messages in the past involving Prince Harry and three other celebrities. But that there is “some evidence of instructions from third parties to engage in other types of illegal information gathering with respect to each of the celebrities,” the group does not deny.
“MGN unreservedly apologizes for any such instances of unlawful data collection, and assures the plaintiffs that such conduct will never be repeated,” the court papers said.
According to the group, the events entitle to compensation, however, without specifying what type of compensation is intended.
The trial, in which the publisher of the Daily Mirror is being sued for “invasion of privacy”, is the first of three in Prince Harry’s legal battle against the British press.
The events involved in the case span over 20 years, when journalists and private investigators intercepted voicemail messages to obtain information about members of the royal family, politicians, sports stars, celebrities and crime victims.
Harry himself is expected to testify in June, according to his lawyer.