Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail, has hailed a High Court ruling as an overwhelming victory for the newspaper and its journalists. The statement, attributed to a spokesperson, celebrates the judgment and indicates the company will seek to recover legal costs.
Ruling Dismisses All Allegations
Mr Justice Nicklin cleared the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday of all 97 allegations made by the claimants. The judge accepted the honesty of the journalists' evidence on how they sourced their stories. The publisher described the ruling as a 'magnificent vindication' of the Daily Mail's journalism.
Claims Deemed 'Lurid' and 'Preposterous'
The case, launched four years ago, included allegations of placing bugs in cars and homes, listening to phone calls, and illicitly accessing bank accounts. The publisher stated that no credible evidence was ever presented for these claims, which they labeled as 'lurid' and 'preposterous'. They described the legal action as a politically motivated campaign to muzzle the free press.
Journalists Exonerated
The reputations of the journalists were 'terribly impugned' but have now been exonerated. According to the statement, every article was legitimately sourced. The publisher thanked Mr Justice Nicklin for his patience and wisdom throughout the case, which wasted valuable court time and over £50 million in legal costs.
Next Steps
Associated Newspapers will look to resolve outstanding issues, including the recovery of costs incurred while defending against this litigation. The publisher expressed gratitude for the judgment and reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom.
