ALLEGED SLANDER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22754, 14 June 1937, Page 10

ALLEGED SLANDER

MR. ERNEST SIMPSON'S CASE APOLOGIES ACCEPTED LONDON. June It The ease which Mr. Ernest Simpson brought against Mrs. Joan Sutherland for alleged slander, and in which Mr. Simpson was stated to have been satisfied with costs and no damages, was settled in 15 minutes. Little public interest was shown.

■ Mr. H «J Wallington, K. 0., on behalf of Mr. Simpson, said the action was one ot ordinary slander. Because foreign newspapers had published I material purporting to relate to the divorce, the matter became a subject for irresponsible gossip in many countries, and a rumour had spread that Mr. Simpson had received a largo sum as the price of his silence and in consideration of his not defending his wife's divorce proceedings. It was difficult, said counsel, to imagine a more serious aspersion on a man's character. "Defendant has given us the fullest apologies and assurances that she is satisfied that this rumour was not true, and Mr. Simpson says he will be satisfied with costs. He' will not seek damages, though ho is jealous of his reputation." Mr. Wallington added: "These proceedings probably will be, reported throughout the world. For that reason, if anyone after this repeats the rumour he will have no excuse. Mr.Simpson will pursue him with all the rigour of the law." Sir Patrick Hastings, K.C., on behalf of Mrs. Sutherland, said his client had been present at a luncheon party, where the rumour had been discussed without anyone realising that M'». Simpson's sister was a fellow-guest Mrs. Sutherland had not had the slightest intention of injuring anyone and had merely repeated what thousands of women were saying at the time. She now apologised wholeheartedly.

The Lords Chief Justice, Lord Hewart, agreed to the withdrawal of the action.