Daily Telegraph Settles Libel Suit with Supermodel

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The (U.K.) Daily Telegraph is no longer in the soup with supermodel Naomi Campbell, after agreeing to pay undisclosed damages to resolve a libel suit over a fake story about Campbell that made her a target of animal rights activists.

According to reports by Associated Press and E! Online recounted in the iMediaEthics.org Web site, the Daily Telegraph published the following apology on January 31: "Contrary to our article 'Naomi Campbell accused of promoting animal cruelty over elephant polo match' (Nov. 3, 2012), in a statement read to the High Court today we accepted that there were no plans for an elephant polo match to mark Ms. Campbell's partner's 50th birthday celebration. We apologised to her and agreed to pay her damages and costs."

The Daily Telegraph was taken to task for purportedly never contacting Campbell about the fanciful sporting event. Campbell has feasted on the feisty British media, having previously successfully sued the Daily Mirror for breach of confidentiality under the Data Protection Act of 1998 (see "TUOL" post 1/24/11).

At least it wasn't elephant water polo, which certainly would have made for a splashier birthday celebration.