What controversial stories has The Sun UK recently been criticized for publishing?

The Sun, the British tabloid owned by News Group Newspapers (part of Rupert Murdoch's News UK), has faced criticism over several stories and editorial decisions in recent years. One of the most significant ongoing controversies involves the phone hacking scandal, which has cast a long shadow over the publication. While the hacking scandal at the now-defunct News of the World was the central focus of legal proceedings, The Sun itself faced scrutiny over its journalistic practices, and in 2023 and 2024, the paper faced renewed attention as lawsuits from celebrities and public figures progressed through the courts. Prince Harry was among the high-profile claimants who pursued legal action against News Group Newspapers, alleging unlawful information gathering. In January 2025, News Group Newspapers reached a settlement with Prince Harry, which included an apology acknowledging that The Sun had engaged in phone hacking and other unlawful activities, a moment that generated enormous controversy and media coverage. The Sun has also faced criticism for its coverage of immigration and asylum seekers, with critics arguing that the paper uses inflammatory and dehumanizing language when reporting on people crossing the English Channel in small boats. Advocacy groups and media watchdogs have repeatedly called out headlines and framing that they say stokes fear and hostility toward migrants. The paper has defended its coverage as reflecting legitimate public concern about border security and government policy. The tabloid has also drawn criticism for its coverage of various public figures, including stories about celebrities and royals that critics argue invade privacy or rely on dubious sourcing. Its coverage of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been particularly contentious, with supporters of Meghan arguing that The Sun and other tabloids engaged in a sustained and racially tinged campaign against her. The paper has denied accusations of racial bias in its coverage. The Sun faced backlash in 2023 for its coverage surrounding various political stories during a turbulent period in British politics, with some critics arguing the paper's editorial line was excessively partisan in its support for certain Conservative politicians and policies. Its relationship with the political establishment has long been a subject of debate, given the paper's historical influence on British elections and its close ties to various prime ministers over the decades. It is worth noting that The Sun remains one of the most widely read newspapers in the United Kingdom, and its editors and ownership have consistently pushed back against what they characterize as unfair criticism from political opponents and media rivals. The settlement with Prince Harry in early 2025 was nonetheless a watershed moment that forced a rare public acknowledgment of wrongdoing and reignited debate about press regulation in Britain, including renewed calls for stronger oversight through bodies beyond the current voluntary system. The Leveson Inquiry had previously recommended statutory underpinning for press regulation, a recommendation that successive governments declined to implement fully, and the Harry settlement brought those debates back into public discourse.