LIBEL CASE SETTLED

Evening Star, Issue 19892, 14 June 1928, Page 3

LIBEL CASE SETTLED

HORATIO' BOTTOM LEY'S ACTION PAYMENT BY NEWSPAPER Arising out of Mr Horatio Botiomloy’s action against tho ‘ News of the World’ and Mr Henry James Houston —a claim for damages for alleged libel —Mr Justice Horridgo, sitting in the King’s Bench, was informed that a settlement had been reached (says a London paper). In making the announcement, Mr Comyns Carr, for defendants, explained that the terms of settlement were mentioned in a statement which ho proposed to read without comment. The statement was as follows: Defendants, the ‘ News of the World,’ Ltd., published in their newspaper during 1922—0 n July 9, IG, 23, and 3U; August G, 13, 20, and 27; and September 3, -10, 17, and 21—a series of articles concerning plaintiff, Mr Bottomley, written by defendant, Henry James Houston. ■ Plaintiff, by bis statement of claim, complained of fire statements contained in those articles. The statements complained of wore written and published bona fide and in full belief in their accuracy by defendants, but since the delivery of the statement of claim defendants, having made furthen investigations into the matters complained of, are satisfied that they cannot be substantiated. They have therefore agreed to make to plaintiff, and plaintiff has agreed to accept, a payment by way of damages in full discharge of all claims which he may hare against defendants or either of them in respect of the above-mentioned articles published in the ‘ News of the World,’ such payment to include costs. Mr Botlomley observed that he had endorsed the document stating that no comment was to be made on the settlement, but as five charges were specifically referred to he thought that it was only right that the court should know what they were.

Mr Comyns Carr had no objection, and His Lordship sanctioned the explanation, whereupon Mr Bottomley read the five charges. The first was that at the time of his special trouble to raise money ho “resorted to petty devices—akin to the methods of a pickpocket— to obtain money.” The second was that under pretence of helping a member of Parliament out of financial difficulties

Mr Corny ns Carr suggested that Mr Bottomley should read the actual words of the alleged libel. Mr Bottomley rend: “I could tell of one M.P., now no longer in the House, who came to 1 H.B.’s’ bedroom one morning and confessed to unauthorised tampering with trust funds as a result of excessive Stock Exchange gambling. He wept bitterly, and 'declared that unless he could get £5.000 that day ho would shoot himself. Before the banks had closed that day had found the money for him. At that time Bottomley was flat broke. His method of raising the money was characteristic. He went to a prominent Austrian, mortgaged a block of shares which he had in his own company for £7,500. handed the distressed M.P.. £5,01X1, and pocketed the remainder. / The third was: “Next week 1 hope to bo in a. position to make a startling disclosure concerning Bottomley’s secret hoard—the money he ‘ planted ’ on the Continent in preparation for a rainy day, the contemplation of which keeps him cheerful now that he is confined in Wormwood Scrubs.” The fourth was that for the purpose of facilitating certain transactions he forged a counsel’s opinion; and the fifth was an allegation that he had had some remarkable transactions in connection with the Austrian Crown jewels and had hidden away the plunder in a bank on the Continent. “ These,” remarked Mr Bottomley, “ are. the charges which are now withdrawn; and that is the end of the first round of my fight for the purpose of rehabilitation.” Mr Justice Horridge (to Mr Couiyns Carr) : You do not want any formal order? Mr Comyns Carr; No, my Lord.