Big payout for internet libel

Apr 3 2008 By Graeme Whitfield

Sunderland housing organisation Gentoo and its chief executive Peter Walls have today been awarded what is believed to be the biggest compensation payout in an internet defamation case.

A judge in the High Court in London heard that Peter Walls had agreed to accept £100,000 in settlement of his claims following a "malicious and relentless" campaign of libel and harassment.

His QC, Hugh Tomlinson, told Mr Justice Eady today that the claims against Wearside businessman John Finn and his Pallion Housing group arose out of the activities of an anonymous group of individuals calling themselves "Dads Place", which was responsible for the publication of a "seriously defamatory, abusive and scurrilous anonymous website", with an associated chat forum, newsletter and leaflets.

For the full story, see The Journal tomorrow.