Former justice secretary Alex Chalk criticizes the Duke of Sussex’s response to a High Court judgment following his legal setback in the phone hacking case.
Prince Harry is facing renewed scrutiny after his reaction to a recent High Court ruling in the UK phone hacking case drew criticism from senior legal figures, adding to the fallout from a costly legal defeat.
The Duke of Sussex, who recently returned to Montecito, California, had spent several days in the United Kingdom attending engagements for charities he supports and participating in events linked to the Invictus Games. During the visit, he also reportedly reunited with King Charles III, alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children.
However, attention has shifted back to Harry’s legal troubles after the High Court ruled against him and six other claimants in a phone hacking-related case.
According to reports, Prince Harry and fellow claimants, including Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, Sir Simon Hughes, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, could collectively face legal costs of up to £50 million following the court’s decision.
Following the ruling, Harry strongly criticized the judgment, describing it as a “complete and obvious whitewash,” remarks that have sparked criticism from legal experts.
Former Justice Secretary Responds
Former UK Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC condemned Harry’s comments, saying it was reasonable to disagree with a court decision but inappropriate to launch personal criticism against a High Court judge.
Speaking to The Times, Chalk said judges act independently under the authority of the Crown and are required to uphold the rule of law.
“Expressing disagreement with a judgment is perfectly reasonable. But Harry’s attack on a High Court judge was over the top, personal and unacceptable,” Chalk said.
He added that judges swear an oath of allegiance to the sovereign and perform their duties independently under the UK’s constitutional framework.
According to Chalk, while Prince Harry had every right to be disappointed with the outcome, publicly criticizing one of the King’s judges crossed an important constitutional line.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The latest development marks another chapter in Prince Harry’s long-running legal battles involving sections of the British media.
The Duke of Sussex has previously alleged unlawful information gathering and phone hacking by newspaper publishers, while continuing to campaign for greater accountability within the media industry.
The recent ruling and the potential legal costs represent a significant setback for Harry and the other claimants, although the broader legal and public debate surrounding press conduct and privacy rights is expected to continue.
The case has attracted widespread attention in the United Kingdom due to its high-profile participants and its implications for media regulation, judicial independence, and public accountability.
