Scotland Yard has been accused of "turning a blind eye" to Prince Harry's phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), more than a year after a High Court ruling awarded him £150,000 in damages.
The Metropolitan Police said it would "carefully consider" the judgment when it was issued in December 2023, following the Duke of Sussex's victory against MGN.
However, police have maintained their silence in the 13 months since the ruling, despite the prince's explicit calls for investigation.
The inaction has sparked criticism from those close to the claimants, who question the authorities' apparent reluctance to pursue the matter.
The Duke had urged police to investigate Mirror Group Newspapers after Mr Justice Fancourt found evidence of "widespread and habitual" phone hacking at the company's titles.
The Metropolitan Police's only response to recent inquiries has been to acknowledge awareness of the High Court judgment, stating they would be "making no further comment at this time."
In his ruling, Mr Justice Fancourt determined that phone hacking had become "widespread and habitual" at MGN publications from 1998 onwards.
The practice remained "extensive" from 2006 until 2011, continuing "even to some extent during the Leveson Inquiry," according to the judgment.
The court also found that editors were aware of both voicemail interception and unlawful information gathering.
Prince Harry celebrated the verdict as "vindicating and affirming," describing it as "a great day for truth, as well as accountability."
The Duke called upon multiple authorities to take action, stating: "I respectfully call upon the authorities, the financial regulator, the stock market who were deliberately deceived by Mirror Group, and indeed the Metropolitan Police and prosecuting authorities to do their duty for the British public."
He urged them to "investigate bringing charges against the company and those who have broken the law."
A well-placed source close to the claimants has criticised the police's lack of response, telling The Telegraph: "It beggars belief that despite the High Court's damning findings of widespread and habitual phone-hacking at Mirror Group Newspapers, the Metropolitan Police have done nothing."
"Over a year has passed since new evidence emerged, yet there's been no investigation and no prosecution," the source added.
The source further questioned: "How can a country that claims to value justice and integrity turn a blind eye to such a blatant corporate cover-up within the British press?"
"Victims have waited far too long for answers and it's past time that authorities act to restore trust by reopening this investigation," the source concluded.
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The Duke faces an eight-week trial against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, beginning this month.
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The Metropolitan Police said it would "carefully consider" the judgment when it was issued in December 2023, following the Duke of Sussex's victory against MGN.
However, police have maintained their silence in the 13 months since the ruling, despite the prince's explicit calls for investigation.
The inaction has sparked criticism from those close to the claimants, who question the authorities' apparent reluctance to pursue the matter.
The Duke had urged police to investigate Mirror Group Newspapers after Mr Justice Fancourt found evidence of "widespread and habitual" phone hacking at the company's titles.
The Metropolitan Police's only response to recent inquiries has been to acknowledge awareness of the High Court judgment, stating they would be "making no further comment at this time."
In his ruling, Mr Justice Fancourt determined that phone hacking had become "widespread and habitual" at MGN publications from 1998 onwards.
The practice remained "extensive" from 2006 until 2011, continuing "even to some extent during the Leveson Inquiry," according to the judgment.
The court also found that editors were aware of both voicemail interception and unlawful information gathering.
Prince Harry celebrated the verdict as "vindicating and affirming," describing it as "a great day for truth, as well as accountability."
The Duke called upon multiple authorities to take action, stating: "I respectfully call upon the authorities, the financial regulator, the stock market who were deliberately deceived by Mirror Group, and indeed the Metropolitan Police and prosecuting authorities to do their duty for the British public."
He urged them to "investigate bringing charges against the company and those who have broken the law."
A well-placed source close to the claimants has criticised the police's lack of response, telling The Telegraph: "It beggars belief that despite the High Court's damning findings of widespread and habitual phone-hacking at Mirror Group Newspapers, the Metropolitan Police have done nothing."
"Over a year has passed since new evidence emerged, yet there's been no investigation and no prosecution," the source added.
The source further questioned: "How can a country that claims to value justice and integrity turn a blind eye to such a blatant corporate cover-up within the British press?"
"Victims have waited far too long for answers and it's past time that authorities act to restore trust by reopening this investigation," the source concluded.
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Prince Harry has vowed to continue his fight against the tabloid press, declaring: "I've been told that slaying dragons will get you burned but, in light of today's victory and the importance of doing what is needed for a free and honest press, it is a worthwhile price to pay."
The Duke faces an eight-week trial against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, beginning this month.
He could face four days of "extensive" questioning during the trial, which he is pursuing alongside former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson.
A separate trial against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, is expected in January 2026.
Find Out More...