Duke of Sussex wins right to secret files in hacking claim

THE Duke of Sussex and Sir Elton John are to be given secret documents from the Leveson Inquiry to support their phone hacking claim against the Daily

Mail after a decision by the Government. In a notice published last night, ministers approved a request from six high-profile figures to unseal documents submitted as part of the inquiry into hacking more than a decade ago.

The documents outline payments made to private investigators by both the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.

The notice, which was signed by Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, and James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, states that the ledger cards may be used by the claimants and their lawyers for the purposes of their claims.

Prince Harry and Sir Elton are among a group of celebrities to have filed a lawsuit alleging widespread unlawful behaviour at Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Mail titles.

Actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost have also brought the claim, alongside former politician Simon Hughes and Doreen Lawrence, the campaigner and mother of Stephen.

They have accused the newspaper group of phone hacking and other unlawful information gathering including placing listening devices in cars and recording private phone conversations dating back over three decades.

The move is a major boost to the celebrities after a judge ruled in November that they could not use leaked copies of their ledgers as they were given to the Leveson inquiry in confidence.

The notice alters a restriction order imposed by Sir Brian Leveson in 2012, meaning the documents can be used.

Associated Newspapers has always

‘Public interest in the just resolution outweighs the countervailing public interest’

denied the allegations. It applied to have the claims dismissed partly on the basis that the documents were sealed.

But a judge dismissed this application in November, meaning the case can be heard at trial. It is likely to take place early next year.

In a joint statement, Ms Frazer and Mr Cleverly said: “We do not consider that it is… in the public interest to withhold these documents from any disclosure or publication. In our judgement, the public interest in promoting the just, speedy and economic resolution of the proceedings outweighs the countervailing public interests.”