Morrissey’s Defamation claim settles.
Morrissey v McNicholas & IPC Media Limited [2011] EWHC 2738 (QB)
We wrote last year as to the long running libel case by Morrissey against the NME.The NME has now publicly apologised to the singer Morrissey over an article published in 2007, which, the singer claimed, suggested he was racist. The publisher IPC Media had last year made an application to the court to have Morrissey’s defamation claim struck out for delay which failed The magazine argued that the claim should be struck out as it was not “a genuine bid for vindication”.
The Judge rejected the Application saying that Morrissey had a very serious claim and the singer had a credible explanation for the delay. Further the Judge stated;
- “The imputation complained of in this action is a very serious one, the extent of publication was very wide. Mr Morrissey remains a prominent figure in the world of music, and NME is a magazine which enjoys a very important place in that world.”
Morrissey sued the magazine over a quote in the piece which stated;
- “The gates of England are flooded. The Country’s being thrown away.”
It was Mr Morrissey’s claim that the transcript of the interview was distorted to create controversy and to maximise publicity.
In a statement the NME said
- “After an on-going dialogue with Morrissey and his representatives, NME today publishes a clarification in the magazine and online which makes it clear that we do not believe we ever called Morrissey a racist and nor do we believe he is. We have said sorry to Morrissey for any misunderstanding that may have arisen.”
The NME spokesman added;
- “The settlement with Morrissey does not involve payment of any damages or legal costs (other than a small sum of costs which the court ordered NME to pay last year when we applied unsuccessfully to have the case struck out on grounds of delay).”
For advice as to Libel or slander claims call defamation solicitors Carruthers Law today or fill in one of our enquiry forms.