The News
Prince Harry’s Controversial Moves: Is He Pressuring UK Police to Investigate the Sun?
In a surprising twist in the ongoing saga surrounding Prince Harry and the Rupert Murdoch-owned News Group Newspapers, new developments have emerged following Harry's recent settlement in a high-profile hacking trial.
The question now arises: is Prince Harry attempting to coerce the UK police into investigating the actions of the Sun newspaper?
This situation is unfolding rapidly, and it's hard to keep up with all the drama.
The Independent reports that, in light of the settlement, the Metropolitan Police are awaiting further correspondence regarding the allegations of newspaper intrusion.
After the court proceedings concluded, Lord Tom Watson, who also settled his case against the Sun, expressed his concerns directly to Sir Mark Rowley of the Metropolitan Police.
He questioned whether the police would take action once they received their dossier detailing the alleged wrongdoing by the newspaper.
This raises a significant issue about the balance of power.
Are some media executives truly above the law?
The police had previously investigated the News of the World, which was shuttered back in 2011 amid a scandal involving phone hacking.
That investigation lasted several years and officially closed in December 2015, but it seems the topic has resurfaced with renewed vigor.
The Met Police confirmed that there are currently no active investigations into phone hacking or related claims.
A spokesperson stated they are aware of the civil proceedings' outcome and are waiting for any relevant communications from the involved parties.
This statement suggests a cautious approach from the police, who seem unwilling to jump into the fray without clear evidence or direction.
Interestingly, both Prince Harry and Lord Watson's legal teams are now urging the Metropolitan Police to initiate a new criminal investigation.
This begs the question: is Harry trying to pressure the UK authorities in a manner reminiscent of his past interactions with the NYPD?
Critics argue that he may be overstepping his bounds, expecting the police to cater to his demands.
Roiley Sage, a notable commentator on this issue, pointed out that Harry appears to exhibit a disregard for law enforcement, believing they should yield to his wishes.
However, it's crucial to note that the police are not likely to bend to such pressures, especially given their previous investigations into these matters.
The Sun newspaper has responded to Harry's claims with a statement that casts doubt on his narrative.
They assert that the settlement came about because they possessed substantial evidence that could have been detrimental to Harry's case.
They argue that the hacking of Harry's phone by the now-defunct News of the World occurred years ago, and the matter was already addressed during criminal proceedings between 2012 and 2015.
In their statement, the Sun reiterated that while there was an apology issued for past phone hacking incidents, the current allegations are separate and lack sufficient evidence.
They emphasize that Lord Watson's phone was not hacked during the time frame in question, and had the case proceeded to trial, they would have demonstrated that hacking was nearly impossible post-2007 due to enhanced security measures.
Moreover, the Sun clarified that despite Harry's claims, their extensive investigations into the allegations had yielded no actionable evidence.
Their refusal to admit wrongdoing underscores the contentious nature of this legal battle, suggesting that Harry's attempts to conflate different issues may not hold water.
As this saga continues, many are left wondering what Harry hopes to achieve by pushing the police for a new investigation.
Critics argue that it might be time for him to move on and enjoy his life in Montecito, away from the relentless scrutiny of the British press and public.
With millions in hand from his settlement, some believe Harry should focus on more positive pursuits rather than engaging in a seemingly futile effort against the media.
His ongoing quest for justice appears to be a losing battle, much like the hacking trial itself.
As the story develops, it remains to be seen how the UK police will respond to Harry's latest maneuvering.
For now, the drama surrounding Prince Harry and the Sun newspaper is far from over, and the implications of this saga will likely resonate for some time.
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