Hugh Grant has something to say about Prince Harry‘s recent win against the UK tabloid. On Wednesday, the Duke of Sussex ended his five-year battle against News Group Newspapers (NGN)—owners of The Sun—with an eight-figure settlement. In 2019, the British royal accused the Rupert Murdoch-owned news corporation of engaging in illegal information-gathering via tabloid journalists and private investigators.
Now, Grant, who won a similar battle against the publishers, believes Harry’s victory isn’t the befitting punishment. The Notting Hill star is demanding more drastic actions, like a criminal investigation into the owners of The Sun. He appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, saying the job is “not done by any means.” Per THR, Grant said Harry’s civil suit was “not the right instrument” to get the “real truth of what happened.” Arguing that NGN publishers manipulated the civil courts, the actor said:
“That’s what they’ve done consistently over the last 10 years. They’ve spent £1 billion to make sure these things are never looked at in court … and you don’t get proper judicial findings. I think what they’re terrified of is that those findings would trigger a new criminal inquiry.”
The English native maintains that those who committed the alleged crimes remain in positions of power. “A lot of the foot soldiers for those newspapers have now come over to our side to say, ‘This is awful,” he stated. “We’ve been punished, we’ve been to prison, we’ve paid fines, we’ve lost our jobs. But the people who commanded all this, they’re still there.” Grant also clamors for Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to dig deeper.
Prince Harry Receives ‘Full and Unequivocal’ Apology From The Sun
It is no surprise Hugh Grant feels strongly about The Sun publishers, given he endured a similar situation. Just like Prince Harry, the Wonka star accused them of using private investigators to tap his phone and burgle his house. However, he settled out of court in April 2024 on terms he didn’t prefer. In a statement, he explained his decision, saying going to trial would cost him up to £10 million ($12.4M) in legal fees.
In Harry’s case, People Magazine reports the duke received a settlement, likely exceeding $12 million, covering damages. Also, NGN offered “a full and unequivocal apology” to the royal. However, senior executives at the company weren’t mentioned by name. Although Harry has not addressed the settlement, his lawyer agrees with Grant’s sentiment.
Speaking outside the High Court, attorney David Sherborne demanded a police investigation into NGN publishers. “The rule of law must now run its full course,” Sherbone said. “Prince Harry and Tom Watson join others in calling for the police and Parliament to investigate not only the unlawful activity now finally admitted but the perjury and cover-ups along the way.”
Authorities have not launched any criminal investigation at the time of this writing. However, Grant’s call for justice might intensify scrutiny.
