The Evening Standard yesterday apologised to Met Police assistant commissioner John Yates – two weeks after he signalled his intention to sue the paper.
Yates announced his resignation over his handling of the News of the phone-hacking scandal on 18 July. He issued a statement via solicitors Carter Ruck on 22 July stating that he planned to sue the Evening Standard over articles published on 7 July.
At the time solicitor Luke Staiano said: ‘The Evening Standard published highly defamatory allegations concerning assistant commissioner Yates which go to the heart of his integrity as a police officer.
‘The allegations are completely false and without foundation. The Evening Standard has refused to apologise or withdraw the allegations, leaving Mr Yates with no alternative but to bring legal proceedings.”
In an apology published yesterday, the Standard said: “On 7 July we wrongly reported that Mr Yates had not properly investigated phone-hacking at the News of the World because he was afraid the newspaper would expose him for allegedly cheating on his wife. Mr Yates had at the time officially separated from his wife and was openly in a new relationship. We sincerely apologise to Mr Yates for any distress caused.”
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