Musician Libeled in Quickie Peel Bio Wins Suit

[Tom Roche]

Oh, and this shall be the 1000th yahoo peel digest. ho-hum....


tom






Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 06:26:34 -0400 (EDT)

Subject: Libel Damages for Musician
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    PA
    Wed 18 May 2005
    11:41am (UK)
    Libel Damages for Musician
    By Jan Colley, PA

    A rock musician today accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages
    over a claim that he had bragged about being involved in football
    violence, house theft and drug abuse.

    Peter Hooton, the lead vocalist for The Farm, had brought High Court
    proceedings over a tribute book about the late DJ John Peel by Mike
    Wall which appeared in November 2004.

    Counsel Joanne Neenan told Mr Justice Eady at London's High Court that
    Mr Hooton was also a qualified teacher and had worked full time as a
    youth and community worker for Liverpool City Council between 1980 and
    1990.

    He had also been involved in a high-profile anti-drugs campaign run by
    the council and, since 2000, had been employed as a mentor working for
    the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts as a coach and adviser to
    young aspiring musicians.

    Ms Neenan said that the book contained an allegation that Mr Hooton
    "bragged openly of football violence, house theft and routine drug
    abuse" to John Peel at an "impromptu interview".

    She added that The Orion Publishing Group Ltd accepted that the
    allegation was wholly untrue and that Mr Hooton had never been
    involved in any such criminal activities - nor did he brag that he had
    been to John Peel or anyone else.

    The publishers had agreed to recall and destroy all copies of the book
    and to pay substantial damages and costs to Mr Hooton.

    Solicitor Roy Furness said that the publishers apologised for the
    distress suffered by Mr Hooton in the publication of the untrue
    allegation.
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