Chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson is seeking up to £100,000 in libel damages after launching a legal battle against the publishers of the Daily Mail.
Parkinson is demanding damages from Associated Newspapers over a story which appeared online and in the Daily Mail on 30 May headlines: “‘Who’s Telling Parkies?”
The story claimed the TV stalwart was threatening to sue his own cousin for remarks made about Parkinson’s father.
The online version of the story has been removed from the website of the Daily Mail and publisher Associated Newspapers has yet to reply a request for comment.
According to the writ filed at the High Court, Parkinson is seeking compensation for misuse of private information.
In addition to damages he is seeking an injunction banning repetition of the allegations.
He has instructed Mark Thomson, of London law firm Atkins Thomson, to act on his behalf.
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