View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
February 29, 2008

Stalemate in Archbishop spokesman libel trial

By PA Mediapoint

A libel case brought by a former spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church over an accusation of hypocrisy over abortion ended in stalemate today after a jury failed to reach a verdict.

Austen Ivereigh, 41, claimed that an article which appeared in the Daily Mail in June 2006 cost him his £46,000-a-year job as head of public affairs for the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, the head of the church in England and Wales.

He told Mr Justice Eady and a jury at London’s High Court that the article falsely alleged he was a “man without honour” who had not practised what he preached in relation to two ex-lovers.

In a highly-charged 10-day case, he disputed claims by two divorcees – Siobhan Vitelli and a woman who can only be identified as Madame X – who alleged that his lack of support when they became pregnant forced them to contemplate abortion.

Associated Newspapers denied libel, saying the story was true.

The jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict after four hours of deliberation.

Afterwards, outside court, Ivereigh said: “All I can say is the case will continue until I clear my name.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“We will carry on.”

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network