In a dramatic turn of events during a London hearing on June 27, the Duke of Sussex found himself under intense scrutiny as attorneys for News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publishers of The Sun, alleged that he intentionally destroyed crucial evidence in his ongoing phone hacking lawsuit.
The courtroom atmosphere was charged as Justice Timothy Fancourt raised serious concerns about the Duke’s actions, suggesting that the destruction of evidence may have occurred even after legal proceedings had commenced.
Justice Fancourt expressed astonishment at the limited amount of material produced by the Duke thus far, emphasizing the significance of the documents being sought from his residence in Montecito, California.
The judge’s insistence on transparency was clear: he ordered the Duke to either submit the missing electronic communications or provide a detailed explanation regarding their disappearance.
This directive underscores the gravity of the situation and the court’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
The Duke’s legal representatives, however, maintain that their client has diligently fulfilled his obligations in providing all relevant information.
Yet, the judge’s skepticism suggests that the court is not easily swayed by these claims.
An anonymous insider shared with InTouch that the situation carries the scent of a potential cover-up, raising eyebrows about the integrity of the Duke’s defense.
Adding fuel to the fire, David Sherburn, the Duke’s attorney, conceded that several texts containing sensitive details about both the Duke and the royal family had indeed been deleted.
These messages were reportedly purged in connection with the Duke’s 2023 memoir, “Spare.”
This revelation opens a Pandora’s box of questions: Is the Duke trying to protect his wife, the Duchess, who allegedly played a role in crafting the memoir, from facing any backlash?
Insiders suggest that the truth about this situation will soon come to light, potentially leading to significant repercussions for the Duke.
The insider warned that once the evidence is retrieved, it could be devastating for him.
Not only did the Duke purportedly erase drafts of “Spare” from the Signal messaging app, but he also deleted numerous conversations with author J.R. Moringer, with whom he collaborated closely on the biography.
Moringer previously disclosed in an interview with The New Yorker that they had exchanged thousands of messages while working on the memoir, noting that they had omitted a staggering amount of content—about 400 pages worth of material.
The Duke himself admitted that he chose to keep certain matters private, particularly those concerning his relationships with his brother and father, fearing that they would never forgive him if those details were revealed.
The fallout from the publication of “Spare” has already strained the Duke’s relationships with the royal family.
Reports indicate that both the Prince of Wales and the King have distanced themselves from him following the memoir’s release, suggesting that the rift may be deeper than previously thought.
This raises further speculation about what sensitive information the Duke might have left out of his communications, as the implications of its release could extend beyond his personal life.
If the deleted messages were to surface, not only would the royal family face potential embarrassment, but the Duke’s credibility could also be called into question.