unicornnews: McCann PR wins People libel claim

A PR expert who worked for the McCann family in the months after their daughter Madeleine first went missing while on holiday in Portugal in May 2007 has won a libel action against The People.

Justine McGuinness sued the tabloid after they reported in October 2007 that she had charged the McCann fund £20,000 more than originally agreed, and that she had been forced to cease working for the family. McGuinness stepped down as the Find Madeleine Fund’s communications strategist after a few months, being succeeded by former BBC journalist Clarence Mitchell.

Responding to the newspaper’s allegations, McGuinness’ legal representative Amber Melville-Brown told the court: “In fact, Ms McGuinness did not overcharge the fund and indeed bore many of the necessary expenses herself. Neither was she forced to resign. As initially agreed with the fund, she left in September 2007 to meet other pre-arranged commitments”.

The People publishers MGM Limited have accepted that the allegations were untrue and apologised for the distress and embarrassment caused. They will make a donation to a charity of McGuinness’ choice as part of the legal settlement.

Posted Saturday October 17 2009 by Chris Cooke

Related categories: Legal news