Cases

Bowman v MGN Ltd

Facts

The Claimant, C, a leading musical theatre actor, had complained about an article published on the website Mirror.co.uk, published by MGN Limited (D). The article implied that he was in a romantic relationship with Hannah Waterman, another actor. C complained that since he was in fact in a serious, committed relationship with another woman the article would have been understood as being defamatory of him. No other details were given as to the defamatory meaning the article was said to bear.

The article was taken down immediately upon complaint being received, and was online for a total of about 27 hours. D also offered to apologise immediately, and an apology and correction appeared on the website on 12 January 2010.

The parties could not agree the appropriate amount of compensation. Part of C’s complaint was that a Mirror.co.uk journalist had spoken to his agent before publication and had been told that the information in the article was incorrect. D denied that such a conversation had taken place.Without prejudice, D made two offers of compensation, the first for £5,000 and the second for £10,000. Both were refused.

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