Prince Harry wins latest stage in newspaper claims

The Duke of Sussex can go ahead with privacy claims against Associated Newspapers, after a judge's ruling opened the way for a trial.

The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday publishers wanted to stop the case, arguing that allegations of dishonestly obtaining information were out of time.

But a judge has decided the case, involving Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants, can proceed.

Associated Newspapers has strongly denied the allegations.

As well as Prince Harry, the newspaper group faces multiple claims of "gross breaches of privacy" from Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, Sir Simon Hughes and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.

This includes allegations of bugging devices in cars, listening into phone calls and dishonestly obtaining medical and financial information.

Prince Harry, in this latest battle with the UK's tabloid press, made a surprise appearance at London's High Court when the case was initially heard in March.

The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday publishers had categorically denied the allegations as "preposterous smears".

But their lawyers had also argued that in any event the allegations were outside the requirement to bring claims within six years.

Some of the allegations are from decades ago, but lawyers for Prince Harry and the claimants argued that new evidence had come to light and they were unaware at the time of how information had been covertly gathered.

The judge has ruled that the claims can proceed, paving the way for a court hearing at a later date.

This could mean another in-person court appearance from Prince Harry, who earlier this year stepped into the witness box to give evidence in a hacking claim against another newspaper publisher, Mirror Group Newspapers.

He became the first senior royal in modern times to make such a court appearance, facing questions over two days, with the outcome of that case still to be decided.