In a mixed ruling, a London judge has decided that Prince Harry cannot expand his privacy lawsuit against the Sun tabloid publisher to include allegations that Rupert Murdoch and other executives were part of an effort to conceal and destroy evidence of unlawful information gathering. 

 The decision by Judge Timothy Fancourt in the High Court was a partial victory for the Duke of Sussex, who is engaged in a ongoing battle against British tabloids in one of his three major invasion of privacy lawsuits.

While the judge rejected several of Harry’s proposed amendments, he did allow the prince to add allegations against other journalists and private investigators that he claims used unlawful means to snoop on him for scoops. 

However, Fancourt said the claims that Murdoch turned a blind eye to wrongdoing added nothing meaningful, as the existing allegations already included senior figures such as Murdoch’s son James and former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks.

Both sides claimed victory in the ruling, which comes ahead of a trial scheduled for early next year. Fancourt acknowledged it was a “split victory,” with the defense gaining an edge on some of the key issues argued.

News Group, the publisher of the Sun, said it welcomed the decision. The company had issued an unreserved apology in 2011 to victims of phone hacking by the now-defunct News of the World, and has settled over 1,300 related claims, though it has never accepted liability for the Sun.

The high-profile case is part of Harry’s ongoing battles against British tabloids, which have also seen actor Hugh Grant accuse the Sun of phone tapping, car break-ins and home intrusions to spy on him. 

Grant said he had to settle due to a court policy that could have saddled him with huge legal fees even if he prevailed at trial.

As Harry’s legal fight continues, the royal’s recent private trip to Nigeria has also sparked controversy, with reports suggesting it has left King Charles and Prince William “absolutely furious.” 

Royal author Tom Quinn claimed the visit gave the impression Harry and Meghan were still acting as “fully paid up Royals,” something the monarch and his eldest son disliked.

KINDLY CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY FOR FREE, GET THE LATEST ON THE GO HERE