View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
October 9, 2009

Express libel payout to Sheryl Gascoigne

By PA Media Lawyer

The former wife of footballer Paul Gascoigne accepted undisclosed libel damages today over a claim that her financial demands had caused the ex-England star’s relapse into alcoholism.

Sheryl Gascoigne sued Express Newspapers over a number of “sensational and highly offensive” allegations which appeared in the Daily Star in June.

Her solicitor, Roderick Batten, told Mr Justice Eady at the High Court that the stories suggested that Ms Gascoigne, 43, had already been paid £17.5 million by Gascoigne as part of her divorce settlement.

“They then suggested that notwithstanding such alleged payments, Ms Gascoigne had made a callous and wholly unjustified demand for a further £100,000 and for increased maintenance payments, while Mr Gascoigne was fighting for his life in a drug rehabilitation unit.

“The articles also suggested that Mrs Gascoigne’s demands had driven Mr Gascoigne to the brink and caused his then recent relapse into alcoholism.”

Batten said that the newspaper now accepted that each allegation “was and is completely untrue”.

It apologised publicly and unreservedly for the distress and embarrassment caused and had agreed to pay Ms Gascoigne damages and her legal costs.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Solicitor Zoe Norden, for the newspaper, apologised and said she hoped today’s statement would help set the record straight.

Ms Gascoigne was in court but made no comment after the brief hearing.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network