LIBEL CASE SETTLED.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17384, 21 April 1928, Page 14 (Supplement)

LIBEL CASE SETTLED.

HORATIO BOTTOIWLEY'S ACTION. PAYMENT BY NEWSPAPER. Arising out of Mr Horatio Bottomley's action against the "News of the World" and Mr Henry James Houston —a claim for damages for alleged libel —Mr Justice Horrldge, 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 he 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, 16, 23 and 30; August 6, 13, 20 and 27; and September 3, 10, 17 and 2i —a series of articles concerning plaintiff, Mr Bottomley, written by defendant, Henry James Houston. Plaintiff, by his statement of claim, oomplained of five statements contained in those articles. The statements complained of were written and published bona-flde and in full belief in their accuracy by defendants, but since the delivery of the statement of claim defendants having made further 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 have against defendants or either of tliem in respect of the above-mention-ed articles published in the News of the World, such payment to include costs.

Mr Bottomley observed that he had endorsed the document stating that no comment was lo be made on the settlement, hut as five charges wore specifically referred to lie 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 he "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 Comyns Carr suggested that Mr Bottomley should read the actual words of the alleged libel.

Mr Bottomley read: "I could tell of one M.P., now no longer in the House, who came to "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 £."3000 that day he would shoot himself. Before the banks had closed that day "1t.13." 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 i;7:>00, handed the distressed M. P. £. r )000 and pocketed the remainder."

'Die third was: "Next week I hope In be in a position to make a startling disclosure concerning Botlomley'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.

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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 ami had hidden away the plunder in a bank on the Continent. "These," remarked Mr Bottomley, "arc the charges which arc now withdrawn; and that is the end of the first round of my fight for the purpose of rehabilitation." Mr .lustice Ilorridge, to Mr Comyns Carr: You do not, want any formal order? Mr Comyns Carr: No my lord.