Prince Harry and six others ordered to pay £9.54m interim costs to Daily Mail publisher

Unbiased summary

A High Court judge ruled that Prince Harry and six other public figures must make an interim payment of £9.54 million to Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail, after their privacy case was dismissed. The claimants had alleged unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking and blagging, in articles published between 1997 and 2015. Following an 11-week trial, Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed all claims in July, stating the evidence did not prove the information was obtained unlawfully. In a subsequent costs ruling, the judge ordered the payment by 28 August and granted ANL's costs on an indemnity basis, meaning the claimants may face up to £34.5 million in total. The judge criticized the claimants' conduct as 'unreasonable to a high degree' but noted the costs claimed were 'excessive' on their face.

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Coverage by outlet

The Guardian left

Angle Focuses on the financial burden on the claimants and the unusual nature of the indemnity costs order, with a tone sympathetic to the losing side.

Bias Emphasizes the judge's comment that costs over £34 million were 'excessive' and the 'unusual' nature of indemnity costs, framing the ruling as harsh on the claimants. Downplays the reasons for the indemnity order, such as 'speculative' claims, by only briefly mentioning them. Omits the Daily Mail's framing of the case as a 'devastating critique' of an attempt to destroy a newspaper, instead highlighting the claimants' perspective.

Prince Harry and others ordered to pay interim £9.5m to Daily Mail publisher

BBC News centre-left

Angle Presents a balanced report but highlights the 'exceptional' nature of the order and the potential personal bill for the claimants beyond their insurance.

Bias Emphasizes that the claimants could face up to £18 million beyond their insurance, which adds a dramatic angle. Includes the judge's criticism of the costs as 'excessive' but also quotes the judge on the claimants' conduct. Omits the Daily Mail's celebratory statement but does note the dismissal of claims. Strays less, but the focus on the exceptional order and potential financial exposure tilts slightly sympathetic to the claimants.

Prince Harry and six others face privacy case legal bill of up to £34.5m

The Independent centre-left

Angle Reports the facts but with a subplot about Prince Harry and Meghan's return to the UK, suggesting personal relevance.

Bias Emphasizes the 'comprehensively dismissed' claims and the 'high-risk strategy' of the claimants, but also injects a personal angle by linking to the Sussexes' relocation. Includes multiple related articles, which expands coverage but may dilute focus. Omits the judge's 'excessive' costs comment in the main piece, instead highlighting the publisher's 'overwhelming victory' framing. Strays from neutral by adding context about Harry's personal life.

Prince Harry and celebrities ordered to pay £9.5m to Daily Mail publisher after losing High Court battle

Daily Mail v Prince Harry: The failed claims brought by the duke and other stars as court costs to be decided

Prince Harry and other celebrities to discover how many millions they will pay Mail publisher

City AM centre-right

Angle Frames the ruling as a financial defeat for Prince Harry, using language like 'hit with' and 'eye-watering legal bill' to emphasize the cost.

Bias Emphasizes the financial 'sting' and uses dramatic terms like 'braces for' in headlines. Downplays the judge's criticism of ANL's costs, only briefly noting the 'excessive' comment. Includes Paul Dacre's 'overwhelming vindication' quote, which supports the publisher's narrative. Strays from neutral by using emotive language and focusing on the claimant's financial burden rather than the legal reasoning.

Prince Harry hit with £9.5m Daily Mail legal bill

Prince Harry braces for eye watering legal bill after Daily Mail defeat

Daily Mail right

Angle Celebrates the ruling as a victory for the Daily Mail and portrays the claimants' case as a failed attack on the newspaper.

Bias Emphasizes the 'doomed' case and 'rare' indemnity order, using strong language like 'devastating critique' and 'completely exonerated' to frame the outcome as a vindication. Omits the judge's concern about excessive costs and instead focuses on the claimants' 'unreasonable' conduct. Downplays the financial burden on the claimants by framing it as a justified consequence. Strays significantly from neutral by adopting an adversarial tone and presenting the case as a moral victory.

Prince Harry and fellow claimants face paying up to £34.5m to Daily Mail after judge rules their doomed hacking case was 'unreasonable to a high degree'