View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
March 1, 2010

Sheryl Gascoigne sues News of the World

By Sarah Limbrick

Sheryl Gascoigne has launched a legal action against the News of the World over a story which she claimed falsely accused her of being a liar.

Gascoigne is seeking libel damages of up to £100,000 over a story from October headed ‘You Lying Bitch’in which her ex-husband, former England footballer Paul Gascoigne, countered claims made in her autobiography that he had attacked her.

She claims the interview with her former husband suggested she had deliberately lied in her book titled, Stronger: My Life Surviving Gazza.

Gascoigne, a mother of three, has instructed law firm Clintons to act on her behalf. She is claiming aggravated damages as she believes the story damaged her reputation, caused her considerable distress and embarrassment.

According to a writ filed at the High Court, Gascoigne launched her legal bid, in part, over the use of ‘provocative and inflammatory headlines”.

The nature of the allegations, which she says were a particularly unpleasant attack on her reputation, and the offensive tone of the story both portrayed her as a callous and grasping woman.

According the writ, Gascoigne claims the newspaper did not tell her about the interview with her former husband until the day of printing and publishers News Group have refused to apologise or to take any steps to mitigate the damage caused to her.

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

She has also accused the paper of approaching Paul Gascoigne with a view to publishing a sensational story, and encouraging him to make serious allegations against her.

She is also seeking an injunction banning further publication of the story.

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