CELEBRITIES
Love Actually’s Hugh Grant makes £10 million decision, leaving Prince Harry in limbo
In what was seen as a fight against the unlawful practices of journalists, the English actor was disappointed to have to give up his case.
In a twist that has left many disappointed, none more so than the claimant himself, British actor Hugh Grant has settled a lawsuit against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid newspaper, The Sun. Grant’s decision to accept the settlement, reportedly in the range of £10 million ($12.45 million), was announced on Wednesday. The settlement comes amid a legal battle where Grant, alongside other notable figures including Prince Harry, accused NGN of widespread unlawful information gathering, including phone tapping and burglary.
Why did Hugh Grant settle with NGN?
Grant, known for his roles in iconic films such as ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Notting Hill,’ took to social media to share his decision, expressing reluctance but citing the potential financial burden of rejecting the settlement. He revealed that even if he were to win the lawsuit in court, the legal fees could amount to a staggering sum, leaving him with substantial liabilities.
David Sherborne, the lawyer representing both Grant and Prince Harry, emphasized the challenging position faced by the claimants, indicating that settlements were being “forced” upon them due to the financial risks associated with proceeding to trial. This echoes a similar sentiment expressed during actress Sienna Miller’s lawsuit against NGN in 2021, where the fear of exorbitant legal fees influenced her decision to settle.
NGN, in response to Grant’s settlement, stated that it was in the financial interests of both parties to avoid a costly trial. However, the resolution of Grant’s lawsuit specifically targeting The Sun raises questions about NGN’s longstanding denial of wrongdoing, particularly in the face of mounting legal challenges.
While Grant’s settlement reduces the likelihood of NGN facing a trial over alleged unlawful information gathering, Prince Harry’s lawsuit against the publisher continues. The prince, who has been vocal about his mission to reform the British press – one of the reasons he chose to move to the USA – is among the claimants seeking accountability for alleged misconduct. This decision has some questioning whether the author of Spare will now have to follow the same route.
The claimants, including Grant and Prince Harry, have recently sought to involve Rupert Murdoch directly in the case, alleging his personal involvement in covering up wrongdoing. NGN, on the other hand, maintains that the allegations against its staff are baseless attacks on their integrity.
As the legal proceedings unfold, NGN’s lawyer has requested that the court reconsider the timeline of the trial, suggesting that it should focus on whether the claimants should have pursued their lawsuits against the publisher sooner.