By Micah Jonah, February 26, 2026
A High Court judge in London has ruled that a key witness in Prince Harry’s privacy lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail can give evidence remotely, despite objections from the claimants’ legal team.
Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, and six other high profile figures, including singer Elton John, are suing Associated Newspapers. They allege its tabloids engaged in unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking and obtaining private records, over several decades. The publisher denies any wrongdoing.
At the centre of the case is private investigator Gavin Burrows. Lawyers for the claimants previously relied on a 2021 witness statement in which Burrows allegedly admitted to carrying out unlawful activities on behalf of the publisher.
However, Burrows later retracted those claims and told the publisher’s legal team that the earlier statement was substantially untrue. He also said he believed his signature had been forged and denied working for the publisher beyond one occasion.
Burrows, who now lives at an undisclosed location overseas, has declined to return to Britain to testify in person, citing health concerns and threats.
Judge Matthew Nicklin ruled that Burrows could give evidence via video link, describing his testimony as central to the claimants’ case. He said that without Burrows’ evidence, a substantial number of the allegations could not be sustained.
No date has yet been set for Burrows’ testimony. The trial, now in its 29th day, is expected to conclude live evidence hearings by the end of March.
