The Guardian reports that an internet libel and invasion of privacy case based on allegations over posts made on the blogs of advertising group WPP has been settled out of court. Proceedings had already begun before a jury in the High Court, which hears all UK libel cases. From the Guardian:
"Sir Martin Sorrell has accepted a £120,000 settlement without admission of liability in his high court libel and privacy action.
Sir Martin accepted agreed damages in settlement of case against FullSix Spa, Marco Benatti and Marco Tinelli without any admission of liability by the defendants.
WPP Italy executive Daniela Weber accepted £30,000 in settlement of her action for invasion of privacy stemming from the same alleged internet campaign - again without admission of liability.
Sir Martin, the chief executive of advertising group WPP, has accused Mr Benatti, WPP's former manager in Italy, and Mr Tinelli of orchestrating an internet hate campaign against him.
Sir Martin's counsel, Desmond Browne QC, told Mr Justice Eady that the two sides had come to terms 10 days into the hearing with the defendants yet to give evidence.
An agreed statement said: "FullSix Spa, FullSix SAS, Marco Benatti and Marco Tinelli repeat their acceptance that the allegations complained of in the blogs in the libel action are untrue and that the emails which are the subject matter of the privacy action infringe the claimants' privacy."