Prince Harry’s trial has suffered a second delay on its first day at the High Court.
The Duke of Sussex and Labour MP Tom Watson’s case against News Group Newspaper was scheduled to start at 10:30am but was pushed back to 11:30 at the request of David Sherborne.
The barrister, representing Prince Harry and Watson, has now requested that the trial is pushed back to 2pm.
News Group Newspapers lawyer Anthony Hudson KC endorsed the application for more time.
Prince Harry’s trial has suffered a second delay on its first day at the High Court.
Getty
Mr Justice Fancourt has allowed the trial to be adjourned but has outlined his concern at the delays.
Additionally, the judge stated that he will not allow any further pushbacks to the start of the trial from 2pm onwards.
Mr Justice Fancourt said: “I am a little concerned about the timetable overall.”
He added: “On the other hand an hour or two in the context of eight weeks is not significant.
The Duke of Sussex’s High Court trial will now begin at 2pm today
Getty
“If the parties can assure me that time will be beneficial and will produce some outcome, then I am willing to provide some further time – but it has to be the last adjournment.”
Earlier in the day when requesting the first delay, Sherborne told the court: “I have been asked to ask your Lordship if we can have a short adjournment for an hour.”
The duke’s lawyer acknowledged potential disruption, stating: “I appreciate that might cause some inconvenience.”
Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson are suing News Group Newspapers over allegations of unlawful information gathering, which the company denies.
Prince Harry is not attending the first day of his trial against News Group Newspapers but Watson has arrived at the High Court.
Prince Harry is not attending the first day of his trial against News Group Newspapers but Watson has arrived at the High Court.
Getty
The duke is set to take the witness stand during the February hearings, where he will present his testimony against the media group.
Harry’s legal action centres on allegations of phone hacking and other privacy violations between 1996 and 2011.
The case specifically targets The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, which allegedly engaged in unlawful information gathering against the duke.
The publisher faces accusations of employing journalists and private investigators who allegedly violated Prince Harry’s privacy during this period.
NGN has denied all allegations of wrongdoing in relation to the claims.