UK Court Rules that Piers Morgan Had Knowledge of Phone-Hacking

The UK High Court found that Piers Morgan, a well-known broadcaster and former Daily Mirror editor, was aware of phone hacking at the tabloid. This judgment came during a lawsuit involving Prince Harry, among others.

Despite Morgan's denial of involvement or knowledge of such activities and his vocal criticisms of Harry and Meghan, Justice Timothy Fancourt ruled that Harry had indeed been the victim of unlawful journalistic practices at Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), and that their editors, including Morgan, knew of phone hacking.

Evidence against Morgan included testimony regarding reassurances he received about a story based on intercepted voicemails in 2002. MGN challenged the credibility of the witness, Omid Scobie, who was on work placement at the time, but the judge found Scobie credible.

Further testimony by a former political editor of the Daily Mirror and others supported the conclusion that Morgan knew of the hacking.

The ruling also implicated other top executives at MGN's parent company, Trinity Mirror (now Reach), in knowing or ignoring the widespread unlawful practices. Following the verdict, Prince Harry urged regulatory and police investigations into the potential criminal offenses.