View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
August 13, 2012

Louis Walsh sources grab against The Sun could set dangerous precedent

By Dominic wireposts

An Irish High Court judge has ordered The Sun to hand over documents associated with its report of a sexual assault complaint made against music promoter Louis Walsh which later turned out to be false.

The Sun has accepted that the claim was false and is facing a legal bid from Walsh for it to hand over details of its sources.

According to the Irish Times, a legal judgement states Walsh is entitled to” all documents associated with the newspaper’s crime writer Joanne McElgunn’s investigation into assertions and allegations concerning Walsh and Leonard Watters.

“The judge also directed that the newspaper provide all documents identifying or referring to any payments made or offered by the newspaper to Watters and statements of any of McElgunn’s expenses attached to the story.”

The order applies equally to other senior journalists who may have had involvement with the 23 June 2011 story headed: “Louis probed over ‘sex attack’ on man in loo”.

Walsh is seeking libel damages over the story.

The Sun is defending the claim arguing that by publishing Walsh’s rebuttal of the accusations the promoter was giving his tacit approval to publication of the story.

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

The paper is also claiming qualified privilege – that it was honest reporting on matter of public interest.

The disclosure of journalistic sources as part of a libel claim could set a dangerous precedent. News International has already shown itself willing to disclose numerous journalistic sources as a result of the Elveden Met probe into bribe allegations. It will be interesting to see how it reacts now to this civil action in an Irish court.

Meanwhile, The Irish Sun reported that it “strongly rejects allegations by Mr Walsh’s legal team that money was paid to Leonard Watter”.

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