Elton John wins damages for “rude” slur
The gay pop star Sir Elton John has accepted an undisclosed sum and an apology from the Sunday Times over an article which described him as “rude”.
Sir Elton, who famously described a group of Tawianesse journalists and photographers as ” “rude, vile pigs” took offence at an article titled “Rock royals get too grand” which described his AIDS Foundation Summer Ball.
Within the article, the Sunday Times reporter claimed that Sir Elton acted in “a self-important, arrogant and rude manner.” The story said the singer had issued a “bizarre and absurd edict to guests at his annual charity fundraising White Tie and Tiara summer ball not to address him unless spoken to”.
Hanna Basha, representing Sir Elton, said the article had caused her client embarrassment and distress particularly as he feared it may damage his fundraising efforts.
Ms Basha said that the Times Newspapers Ltd, who publish the Sunday Times, accept that the allegations made were untrue, that they agreed to print an apology and pay damages to Sir Elton’s AIDs Foundation.
Alastair Brettt, representing the Times Newspapers said: “As soon as the defendant found out the story was untrue — it had been picked up from another newspaper — it immediately apologised to Sir Elton and it is happy to repeat that apology here today.”
Last year, Sir Elton and his partner David Furnish became one of the first couples in England and Wales to hold a gay marriage in a civil ceremony.
