![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/harry-dealt-blow-in-court-battle-as-judge-rejects-agreement-claims/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/newspress-collage-23205841-1690452458314.jpg&description=HARRY'S COURT BATTLE Published : 12:07, 27 Jul 2023 Updated : 12:07, 27 Jul 2023 PRINCE Harry's "implausible" claim there was a secret pact between newspaper chiefs and senior royals has been rejected by a High Court judge. The Duke of Sussex claimed there was an "agreement" in place involving Buckingham Palace and executives from News Group Newspapers (NGN) as part of a wider legal battle. 1 Prince Harry's claim of a secret agreement was branded 'implausible' Credit: Reuters Harry alleged the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World had hacked his phone and used investigators and deception to unlawfully gather information on him dating back two decades. The Royal had also claimed a secret "agreement" had been made between the newspapers and the Royal Family, allegedly authorised by the late Queen. But Mr Justice Fancourt today branded this "implausible" and "inherently unlikely" and ruled Harry's case could not rely on the allegation. He said there was a "lack of credibility" surrounding the claim, which is only supported by evidence from his own "vague and limited" witness statement. The judge also concluded Harry cannot bring a phone-hacking claim against The Sun and now-defunct News Of The World to trial. A spokesperson for NGN, which denies any unlawful activity took place at The Sun, welcomed the result as a "significant victory". The organisation also confirmed the group is "drawing a line under disputed matters" that date back more than 20 years. A statement added: "In arguing his case, the Duke of Sussex had alleged a 'secret agreement' existed between him/Buckingham Palace and NGN which stopped NGN from asserting that the Duke's claim had been brought too late. "The Judge, Mr Justice Fancourt, found his claims in relation to the alleged 'secret agreement' were not plausible or credible. "It is quite clear there was never any such agreement and it is only the Duke who has ever asserted there was. "Mr Justice Fancourt then dismissed the Duk){kind=link}
PRINCE Harry’s “implausible” claim there was a secret pact between newspaper chiefs and senior royals has been rejected by a High Court judge.
The Duke of Sussex claimed there was an “agreement” in place involving Buckingham Palace and executives from News Group Newspapers (NGN) as part of a wider legal battle.
Harry alleged the publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World had hacked his phone and used investigators and deception to unlawfully gather information on him dating back two decades.
The Royal had also claimed a secret “agreement” had been made between the newspapers and the Royal Family, allegedly authorised by the late Queen.
But Mr Justice Fancourt today branded this “implausible” and “inherently unlikely” and ruled Harry’s case could not rely on the allegation.