Settlement with Sun on Sunday over cheating claims
A libel claim brought by comedian Russell Brand over an article published in the Sun on Sunday in November 2013 was concluded today with a statement in open court read before Mr Justice Tugendhat. The front page article, which alleged that Mr Brand had cheated on his then girlfriend Jemima Khan and had therefore lied to the general public by having widely proclaimed in the media that he was faithful to Ms Khan, was accepted to be untrue and defamatory by the Sun on Sunday, which also accepted that the article should never have been published. The newspaper apologised for the article and for the distress which it had caused. An undisclosed sum in damages was agreed last month, which Mr Brand has stated that he will donate to good causes. The Sun on Sunday has also agreed to pay Mr Brand’s legal costs, and promised not to repeat the allegations. 5RB‘s David Sherborne acted for Russell Brand. Mark Warby QC and Adam Wolanski acted for News Group Newspapers Ltd.
Links:
BBC News – Russell Brand accepts damages from Sun on Sunday
Press Gazette – The Sun apologises to Russell Brand for “totally untrue” front page claim he cheated on girlfriend Jemima Khan
Guardian – Russell Brand wins “substantial damages” for Sun on Sunday article