Royal Biographer Denies Fabricating Evidence in Phone Hacking Trial

A biographer closely associated with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has vehemently refuted claims that his testimony in the High Court regarding Piers Morgan's alleged knowledge of phone hacking was a ploy to assist Prince Harry.

Omid Scobie, co-author of the acclaimed book “Finding Freedom” chronicling the lives of Harry and Meghan, took to the witness stand on Monday as part of a legal battle against Mirror Group newspapers (MGN) involving multiple prominent figures, including Prince Harry himself.

MGN, the publisher behind renowned publications like The Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and Sunday People, stands accused of engaging in illicit information gathering practices such as voicemail interception, deceptive information procurement, and the enlistment of private investigators for unlawful purposes.

Despite the serious allegations, the publisher has adamantly contested the charges, asserting a lack of concrete evidence supporting the claims of voicemail interception in the selected representative cases.

During the court proceedings, Mr. Scobie disclosed his brief stint as a journalism student at the Sunday People, where he claimed to have been provided with a list of mobile numbers and received detailed instructions on accessing voicemails – a practice purportedly presented as a conventional journalistic technique by a seasoned reporter at the publication.

In response to skepticism raised by Andrew Green KC, representing MGN, regarding the plausibility of a mere intern being tasked with phone hacking, Mr. Scobie clarified that the term “hack” was not explicitly used and that he refrained from engaging in any such unauthorized activities.

Despite Mr. Scobie's insistence that he did not partake in phone hacking, he acknowledged feeling uneasy about the situation, emphasizing that the realization of the impropriety only dawned on him after the fact.

When challenged by Mr. Green on the veracity of his account, Mr. Scobie defended his recollection, rebuffing suggestions of fabricating memories out of a desire to be helpful or deliberately misleading.

Further revelations emerged during the trial, with Mr. Scobie recounting an incident from spring 2002 during his work experience at the Daily Mirror, where he purportedly overheard then-editor Piers Morgan discussing the sourcing of information related to Kylie Minogue from intercepted voicemails.

Notably, documentation was presented indicating an invoice from a private investigations firm addressed to a showbiz journalist at the paper for “Kay Minogue,” underscoring the potential gravity of the situation.

In his testimony, Mr. Scobie underscored his surprise upon learning of the reliance on voicemails for news coverage, shedding light on Mr. Morgan's editorial approach and his keen interest in showbiz content.

Dismissing claims of concocting false memories, Mr. Scobie stood by his assertions, firmly rejecting insinuations to the contrary and defending his integrity as a journalist committed to upholding ethical standards.

Amidst inquiries into his professional relationship with Mr. Morgan, Mr. Scobie portrayed the former editor as deeply involved in the editorial process, particularly within the realm of entertainment reporting.

Emphasizing his dedication to journalistic integrity, Mr. Scobie refuted allegations of bias towards Harry and Meghan, asserting his role as a diligent reporter striving to fulfill his duties impartially.

As the legal saga unfolds, the intricacies of the case continue to captivate audiences, sparking discussions and debates surrounding the boundaries of journalistic ethics and the accountability of media institutions.

The revelations brought to light in the courtroom serve as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the realm of investigative journalism, underscoring the importance of upholding transparency and integrity in media practices.