Actor Hugh Grant has reached a settlement in a privacy case against the Sun newspaper’s publisher, after facing the possibility of a hefty legal bill.
Grant had accused News Group Newspapers (NGN) of using private investigators to tap his phone and carry out a burglary at his residence. Although he was offered a significant sum to settle the case, Grant expressed reluctance to accept the money but recognized that a trial would result in substantial expenses.
NGN has denied the allegations made by Grant and stated that the settlement was reached without any admission of liability, emphasizing the financial benefits of avoiding a costly trial for both parties.
Following the resolution of the case, Grant announced that the funds he received would be redirected toward organizations like Hacked Off, which campaign against unethical practices in the media.
The actor, known for his roles in popular films such as Notting Hill and Love Actually, has been a vocal advocate for press reform, particularly in the aftermath of the phone-hacking scandal that surfaced over a decade ago. This is not the first time Grant has taken legal action against NGN, as he previously settled a case related to the now-defunct News of the World tabloid in 2012.
Despite NGN’s rejection of any wrongdoing, the company has settled over 1,000 cases without admitting liability. Legal proceedings involving Grant and others suing NGN for alleged unlawful information gathering are still ongoing.
While NGN emphasized the importance of resolving disputed matters, particularly those dating back several years, through settlement agreements before trial, the company maintained its position of non-liability in the face of the allegations.
