Cherie Blair's solicitors Atkins Thomson launch legal battle with Mail on Sunday

Cherie Blair sues MoS over police protection claims
Press Gazette
29 January 2010
By Sarah Limbrick, Press Gazette reporters

Cherie Blair has launched a legal battle for damages of up to £50,000 over a Mail on Sunday story claiming she made unreasonable demands for police protection.

The wife of the former prime minister is suing publishers Associated Newspapers over a story, which she claims is defamatory, that appeared in October headlined "Cherie keeps her £500k gun police".

According to a writ filed at the High Court, the story claimed Blair made "wholly unreasonable demands" to the Diplomatic Protection Group for police protection.

The story claimed that Blair’s demands came despite the fact that protection would cost the taxpayer £500,000 and her family were often away from home.

According to the writ, Blair said this portrayed her as acting in a "shamelessly self-important manner".

Through her solicitors Atkins Thomson, Blair is seeking aggravated damages, citing the serious and offensive nature of the claims, and also seeking an injunction banning repetition of the allegations.

She claims the story substantially injured her reputation, and caused her considerable hurt, distress and embarrassment.

In addition, she says claims the paper refused to give her a full and unequivocal apology, despite a complaint and a spokesman denying the allegations in advance.

Hat tip: John Rentoul's tweet on Twitter 29 Jan 2010.

Click on labels for related reports.

News of the World settles Cherie Blair libel case and publishes an apology

An article published by the News of the World falsely accused Cherie Blair of having an 'inhuman' attitude in a discussion about victims of crime.

From Guardian.co.uk by Mark Sweney
Monday 10 August 2009 16.07 BST
News of the World settles Cherie Blair libel case

Photo: Cherie Blair: the criticisms were made following her appearance on a panel at a meeting attended by victims of crime. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

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.

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.

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Here is a copy of an apology published in the News of the World (News Group Newspapers Ltd.) 09 August 2009:

Cherie Blair

09/08/2009

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.

Hat tip: Blair Supporter

Note to self. Today, in the sidebar of this site, I have added a link to Graham Atkins, Atkins Thomson and put it at the top for a good job well done.

Cross-posted today at Blair Foundation Watch.