Meghan Markle’s former assistant accused her of bullying her and has published a witness statement against her to a British tabloid, which increases the risk of a major court appeal.
Duchess of Sussex sued Mailed on sunday Because printing a letter violated her privacy and copyright, she sent it to her father Thomas Markle, begging him to stop talking to the media.
She won a major victory in February and told newspapers around the world “Illegal and Inhumane Practices” In the statement of victory.
However, the tabloid appealed and argued that she intended to make the letter public as part of a media strategy when royal courtesy prevented her from speaking publicly.
now Mailed on sunday already Ask the Court of Appeal Admitted as evidence the witness statement of her former communications secretary Jason Knauf in London.
This former Texas-born worker wrote an article Now famous emails in October 2018 Accused Meghan of bullying two PAs outside Kensington Palace and expressed concern about the third staff member.
The emotional stakes are already high, because the victory of the tabloid will mean that Megan will testify in court and hand over personal documents for the trial.
Her own lawyer said that in the documents submitted to the court, this would further violate her privacy.
However, Knauf’s intervention adds an extra level because it solves a problem Prince Harry It was said before that Megan would cry on her pillow.
Former assistant’s 2018 email was leaked to British newspaper era And published a few days before the couple’s blockbuster Oprah Winfrey During the interview, the Duchess accused the palace of leaking false stories about her to the media.
Sunday Mail‘S lawyers said that Knauf’s evidence would contradict Megan’s evidence if the judge allowed it.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images and Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Court documents were seen Weekly newspaper Wrote: “If the Court of Appeal allows the introduction of Mr. Knauf’s most recent witness statement, [The Mail on Sunday] Will rely on it as evidence [Meghan] She believes that this letter is at least likely to be made public by her father, and has given special consideration to this possibility.
“[Meghan’s] The complaint was very different, and she didn’t even doubt that he would reveal the letter. “
The newspaper’s lawyer, Andrew Caldecott, said in court that he would argue that the document “raised questions about her credibility”.
Sunday Mail In the original lawsuit, he argued that Megan’s privacy rights to this letter were compromised by the facts mentioned in the biography. Find freedom, About her and Prince Harry.
They said that she briefly introduced the content to the author as part of her public relations strategy, which she denied, although her lawyer did admit to authorizing someone to provide some information to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.
Knauf also seems to have provided information about the book to the newspaper.
A court document described the tabloid’s case as Megan’s “cooperating with the author of this book, this [The Mail on Sunday] Standby (now Mr. Knauf’s witness statement supports this). Cooperation through friends or other agents is as important as direct communication. “
For documents submitted by Megan’s lawyer, see Weekly newspaper,read:”[The Mail on Sunday’s] The proceedings are not only unnecessarily expensive and costly, but also intrusive—especially as it tries to force her to disclose more aspects of her private and personal life and her friends. “
It added: “Allowing the defense to go to trial will only promote further invasion [Meghan’s] Privacy, all of which stems from the fact that it published a private and very personal letter, and at the same time gave [The Mail on Sunday] The opportunity to profit from the inevitable media circus. “
Jason wrote in an email in 2018: “I am very worried that the Duchess will be able to drive two PAs out of the house in the past year.
“X’s treatment [name removed] Totally unacceptable. “
He added: “The Duchess always seems to want someone in her sight. She is bullying Y [name removed] And tried to destroy her confidence.
“We have received one report after another, these people have witnessed unacceptable behavior towards Y [name removed].”
A few days before Oprah Winfrey’s interview in March, the news was leaked to the British newspaper The Times.
Prince Harry told him Apple TV series You can’t see me May: “The interview is about real, real, and want to share the experience we know. Although we have unique privileges, it is very relevant to many people around the world.
“But before the interview with Oprah was broadcast, due to their headlines and the joint efforts of the company and the media to discredit her, I woke up in the middle of the night and she cried in the pillow because she didn’t want to wake me up because I had already Too much burdened.
“It’s heartbreaking. I held her, we talked, she cried, she cried, she cried.”
The case will be heard within three days from November 9th to November 11th, and then the judge will make a decision some time after that.
