Hugh Grant Calls for New Police Investigation Into The Sun’s Owners After Prince Harry Settlement
Hugh Grant is demanding a fresh criminal investigation into the owners of The Sun newspaper after Prince Harry settled his privacy claim with News Group Newspapers (NGN). The actor claims that past settlements and civil cases have failed to get to the “real truth” of the newspaper’s actions, and he is now urging the police to take action. But will they? Here’s what you need to know about Grant’s latest call for justice.
The Prince Harry Settlement: What Happened?
On Wednesday, Prince Harry reached a settlement with News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun. The paper admitted to serious intrusions into the Duke’s private life between 1996 and 2011, including unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for the paper. NGN agreed to pay substantial damages to Prince Harry and issued a formal apology for the “serious intrusion” into his privacy.
For Harry, this settlement is a long-awaited step forward after years of fighting for accountability. However, while Harry’s legal battle may be over, the issue of unlawful practices at The Sun is far from settled, according to Hugh Grant.
Hugh Grant Speaks Out: Time for a New Investigation
Hugh Grant, who has been vocal about his own legal battles with The Sun, has urged the police to open a new criminal investigation into the paper’s owners and senior staff. Grant himself reached a settlement with NGN earlier this year over his own claims of phone tapping and illegal surveillance by private investigators.
Despite settling, Grant argues that civil cases like his and Harry’s aren’t enough to uncover the full truth of what went on at The Sun. In an interview on BBC Radio 4, he called for a criminal inquiry, saying, “The job is not done by any means.”
Grant pointed out that NGN has spent millions on settlements to keep such cases out of court, and he believes this strategy has silenced many potential claims. “They’ve spent £1bn to make sure these things are never looked at in court,” Grant said, referring to the newspaper’s legal tactics. He claims this strategy has prevented a proper investigation into the newspaper’s activities, especially when it comes to phone hacking and other illegal practices.
The Allegations Against The Sun: Phone Tapping and More
Grant’s allegations against The Sun are serious. He claims that during the years in question, the paper used private investigators to tap his phone and even break into his home. He also argues that these illegal activities were part of a broader culture of wrongdoing at the newspaper during the late 90s and early 2000s.
While The Sun has always denied these allegations, the recent settlement with Prince Harry has raised more questions about the paper’s practices during this time. For Grant, the latest developments are a call to action. “The people who were in charge of these illegal activities are still in power today,” he said, referencing Rebekah Brooks, who was the editor of The Sun at the time. Brooks now serves as CEO of News UK, the parent company of The Sun.
Grant’s frustration is palpable, especially when he points out that many of the individuals responsible for these actions remain in prominent positions, while those who were involved on a lower level have faced legal consequences. “The people who commanded all this, they’re still there,” Grant added.
The Push for a New Investigation: Is the Police Listening?
Grant’s call for a new police investigation comes after years of legal battles, settlements, and public statements about the behavior of tabloids like The Sun. But the question remains: will the police take action?
The Metropolitan Police stated on Friday that they have no active investigations into allegations of phone hacking or related matters. A spokesperson said, “We await any correspondence from the parties involved, which we will respond to in due course.”
Grant is not deterred, however. He believes a criminal investigation is necessary to get to the truth. He argued that civil settlements, like the one Harry reached, are not enough to reveal the full extent of the illegal activities carried out by the paper. “You don’t get proper judicial findings,” Grant said. “They’ve gamed the system.”
The actor also pointed to the fact that Lord Tom Watson, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party, has also reached a settlement with NGN and is now working on submitting a dossier of evidence to the police. Grant supports this effort, saying it is time for the police to take these claims seriously.
What About the Leveson Inquiry?
The Leveson Inquiry into press standards, launched in 2012, remains another key piece of the puzzle. The inquiry was set up in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal that rocked the UK press, but it never fully addressed the extent of illegal practices within newspapers like The Sun. Grant, alongside other victims of press intrusion, has repeatedly called for the second part of the inquiry to be launched.
This week, in response to Harry’s settlement, Grant renewed his calls for the government to re-open the Leveson Inquiry. He criticized the current government for failing to prioritize the inquiry, saying, “This is something that was repeatedly promised by Labour in opposition to victims of press abuse, over and over. And now suddenly seems to have disappeared from their priority list now that they’re in government.”
The government, however, is not on board. Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, recently ruled out launching part two of the Leveson Inquiry, saying it was no longer “fit for purpose.” According to Nandy, the media landscape has changed significantly since the original inquiry, especially with the rise of online news consumption.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Really at Stake?
At the heart of Hugh Grant’s campaign is a desire for justice not just for him and Harry but for all victims of press intrusion. Both Grant and Harry’s cases highlight a system where victims of illegal practices by newspapers are often silenced through settlements that avoid criminal accountability.
Grant believes the only way to uncover the full truth is through a criminal investigation that holds those responsible accountable. As he points out, many of the senior figures in the press industry today were in charge during the time the illegal activities took place, and they continue to hold powerful positions.
The case also raises important questions about press regulation and whether the existing systems are sufficient to address abuses of power in the media. Without a comprehensive criminal investigation or a new Leveson Inquiry, victims like Grant and Harry may never see the full accountability they deserve.
Conclusion: Will the Police Take Action?
Hugh Grant’s call for a new criminal investigation into The Sun and News Group Newspapers is far from over. While the police have said they have no active investigations into the matter, the pressure is mounting for them to take a closer look. With powerful figures still at the helm of the media giant, there are significant questions about whether justice can truly be achieved through the current system.
For now, Hugh Grant and others who have been affected by press intrusion continue to demand accountability. Will the authorities act, or will these cases remain buried in the archives of past settlements? Only time will tell.
