Justin Timberlake to receive apology and libel damages from British tabloid |
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Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:35
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LONDON - Justice was on Justin Timberlake's side as the News of the World agreed to pay an undisclosed sum as libel damages to the pop singer for printing false allegations that Timberlake had had an affair with model Lucy Clarkson in late 2003.
The singer was in Britain at that time to promote his album Justified. The British newspaper also claimed that the alleged affair had taken place without the knowledge of Timberlake's girlfriend, Hollywood actor Cameron Diaz. Timberlake, 24, decided to take the News of the World to court after the newspaper claimed that Timberlake had twice had sex with Lucy Clarkson.
The paper had said that it would substantiate its claims. However, it found that Clarkson was lying and hence agreed to print a prominent apology as well as pay for the damage caused to Timberlake's "personal and professional reputations," according to his lawyer Simon Smith. "The newspaper now accepts that all the allegations complained of are entirely untrue and without any substance. Ms Clarkson, who sold her story, accepts that she had not had an affair or fling with Justin Timberlake. She accepts that the story was a complete fabrication," he added. Ms Clarkson's advocate, David Griffiths, said that his client had agreed to pay a sum equal to what she had received for the story, "Ms Clarkson unreservedly apologises for the distress and embarrassment she has caused the claimant and Ms Diaz," he said.
Benjamin Beabey, solicitor for News Group Newspapers addressed Mr. Justice Fulford and said, "Through me, the first defendant offers its apologies to the claimant for the distress and embarrassment caused."
The story was published in July 2004 under the headline "Exclusive: Bad News for Cameron as model reveals lover's secret fling." Timberlake's spokesman Ken Sunshine expressed relief that justice had been done. He added that the money received, as libel damages would be donated to charity.
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