Prince Harry's lawyers claim Rupert Murdoch 'covered up wrongdoing'

The Duke of Sussex's lawyers yesterday sought to drag Rupert Murdoch into the phone hacking case Harry and others are pursuing against the publisher of The Sun.

The High Court was told the newspaper tycoon was personally involved in a cover-up of wrongdoing at News Group Newspapers (NGN) that was perpetrated 'right at the highest level'. 

The company denies the claims made by the duke and more than 40 others including actor Hugh Grant. 

They are suing over accusations of unlawful invasions of privacy by its newspapers, The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, from the 1990s until 2016.

The Duke of Sussex's lawyers yesterday sought to drag Rupert Murdoch into the phone hacking case Harry and others are pursuing against the publisher of The Sun

The case is due to go to a trial in January. In a preliminary hearing yesterday lawyers for the claimants asked to change details of the case to include the names of Mr Murdoch and his son James.

Barrister David Sherborne, said there were 'extensive allegations' the Leveson Inquiry in 2011 and 2012 had been given untrue information by Mr Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks, NGN's former boss. 

Anthony Hudson KC, defending, said the group was 'using this as a vehicle for wider campaigning interests against the tabloid press.'