News of the World settles Cherie Blair libel case - Graham Atkins Solicitor
News of the World article falsely accused Cherie
Blair of having an 'inhuman' attitude in a discussion about victims of crime
Cherie Blair has settled a libel action against the News of the World for an article that falsely accused her of having an
"inhuman" attitude in a discussion about the victims of crime.
An article
penned by News of the World columnist Carole Malone, which appeared on 5
October last year, contained a string of criticisms of Blair after she appeared
as a panellist at a meeting attended by victims of crime. Graham
Atkins Solicitor
The News
of the World settled the libel claim made by Blair, printing an apology in
yesterday's edition of the tabloid and online accepting that Malone's claims
were "unfounded", and paid unspecified damages and legal costs.
Malone's
column made a number of false claims, including that Blair had arrived with
hordes of secuity men, only made the appearance at the event for publicity
purposes and gave "inhuman" responses about the Human Rights Act when
questioned in a panel discussion.
The News of the World apology stated: "In the Carole Malone column on 5 October, several criticisms
were made of Cherie Blair after she appeared as a panellist at a fringe meeting
attended by prominent victims of crime.
"In
particular, it was not right to say Mrs Blair arrived with hordes of security
men, only appeared for publicity and was "inhuman" in her responses
about the Human Rights Act.
"We
apologise to her for these assertions which we accept were unfounded."
Graham Atkins, a partner at law firm Atkins Thomson, which represented Blair, said:
"Mrs Blair is delighted with the settlement and that her reputation has
been restored by taking this action. She will be paying the damages she
received to her foundation."
The law firm also pointed out that Blair has spent a "considerable period of time investigating and highlighting for public attention issues relating to crime in this country". She was formerly the patron of Victim Support London. Read more---->>>>>
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