A doctor accepted an apology and “substantial” libel damages at the High Court yesterday over false allegations linking him to terrorism.
Dr Mohammed Asha, who is based in the Midlands, sued over a front page article in The Sun last August headlined “Terror case doc works in casualty”.
Solicitor Leo Dawkins, representing Asha, told Justice Eady that the allegations were that “there were very strong grounds to suspect that the claimant would be involved in the future in terrorist bomb plots and was, therefore, an ongoing threat to national security”.
He added: “There is no truth in these allegations whatsoever.
“The article complained of was published to millions of people and has been devastating for the claimant, causing him immense damage both personally and professionally.”
Dawkins said News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun, now accepted the allegations were ‘entirely false and without foundation” and had offered to pay Asha “substantial compensation and his legal costs”.
Patrick Callaghan, solicitor for News Group Newspapers, told the judge: “The defendant offers its sincerest apologies to Dr Asha for the damage it has caused and is pleased to set the record straight.”
Asha said in a statement: “The damage caused by The Sun has been incalculable, causing both myself and my family immense hurt and distress, not to mention worries over my own personal safety.
“I am glad this terrible ordeal is finally over and that The Sun has apologised and agreed to pay me compensation and my legal costs.”
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