Actor Hugh Grant has issued a public call for a fresh criminal inquiry into the proprietors of The Sun, following the settlement of Prince Harry’s privacy litigation against News Group Newspapers (NGN). In light of NGN's admission of illegal acts by private investigators, Grant contends that mere civil cases fail to expose the entire extent of transgressions and protect influential newspaper figures.

Prince Harry's privacy suit settlement prompts fresh calls for accountability amid illegal practices admissions by NGN, BBC News reported.

Grant's call for a criminal probe comes shortly after Prince Harry reached a settlement concerning his privacy conflict with NGN. On a recent Wednesday, the newsgroup agreed to compensate Prince Harry financially and confessed to considerable privacy violations dating back from 1996 to 2011.

Notably, NGN acknowledged the involvement of private investigators in undertaking illegal activities for The Sun. Following suit, Hugh Grant also settled his own privacy case against NGN in 2024, where he faced the intimidating prospect of costs soaring up to £10 million.

Focus on Alleged Wrongdoings Gains Momentum

However, Grant maintains that such civil settlements are inadequate in revealing the depth of NGN's unlawful conduct. In parallel, Lord Tom Watson, former deputy leader of the Labour Party, also resolved his legal disputes with NGN on the same day as Prince Harry. Watson’s legal team reportedly plans to submit a comprehensive file to the Metropolitan Police for further review.

Despite these developments, the Metropolitan Police announced last Friday that they currently do not have any ongoing investigations related to phone hacking or similar issues. Grant accused NGN of using the civil courts as a tool to muffle those who raise complaints and stressed the necessity for a criminal investigation to uncover the whole truth.

The actor alleged that NGN allocated as much as £1 billion for preventing court verdicts that might pave the way for a new criminal investigation. In the environment of civil litigation, while claimants risk covering their opponents’ legal expenses if awarded damages fall short of settlement offers, Grant highlighted the imbalance of power involved.

Hugh Grant Sheds Light on Alleged Practices

Accusing The Sun of unauthorized surveillance and burglary attempts, Grant claimed that private investigators linked to the newspaper had tapped his phone and unlawfully entered his home. NGN, on the other hand, refuted these accusations, opting to reach a settlement without acknowledging any liability.

In light of these developments, Grant has appealed to both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police to initiate a proper investigation. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, although criminal investigations fall under the police's purview, Grant believes a scrutinized review is warranted given the positions of authority held by some during the period of these supposed illicit activities.

Rebekah Brooks, now the CEO of News UK, served as The Sun's editor during the aforementioned time. Although cleared of conspiracy in connection with voicemail hacking in a 2014 trial, her role during the period remains under scrutiny.

Potential Reopening of the Leveson Inquiry

Grant has further proposed that the government resurrect the Leveson Inquiry, originally tasked in 2012 with examining the press's culture and ethics, to address ongoing concerns. Despite variances in opinion, Lisa Nandy recently dismissed the relevance of reopening the inquiry, branding it outdated with its formulation in a different era.

News UK chose not to provide comments, instead deferring to previous investigations by the Metropolitan Police. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged these past probes while emphasizing the need to evaluate any new substantial evidence as it arises.

With this case evoking significant public interest, the emerging facts in Prince Harry and Hugh Grant's conflicts with NGN renew the discussion on the balance of legal procedures and accountability within prominent media establishments.