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03/04/2008
Magazine Apologies To Morrissey In 'Racism' Case
Singer Morrissey has accepted a public apology from 'Word' magazine after one of its articles suggested that he was a racist and a hypocrite.
The 48-year-old former Smiths frontman - full name Steven Patrick Morrissey - launched the legal action against the magazine over an article, which appeared in its March edition.
The closing paragraphs of the article, written by David Quantick, referred to comments made by Morrissey in a December issue of NME. The singer has also launched libel proceedings against that publication and it was also confirmed today.
John Reid, Morrissey's solicitor, told the High Court heard how the article, written by David Quantick, "could have been construed to suggest that Mr Morrissey was a racist, held racist opinions or that (as the child of migrant parents) he was a hypocrite."
Mr Reid also said that the article suggested that Morrissey "has in the past paid lip-service only to anti-racism".
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Reid said that 'Word' magazine's publishers, Development Hell and Editor Mark Ellen, never intended the article to have the meanings suggested. He said that they accepted that it would be "absurd" to accuse Morrissey of being a racist or a hypocrite and accepted that he was a well-known supporter of anti-racist groups.
The defendants' solicitor, Caroline Kean, said that they offered their "sincere apologies" to the singer.
Morrissey has also launched libel proceedings against the NME and it was also confirmed today that this action would continue until an apology was also received from them.
Morrissey was not at the High Court for the verdict on Thursday. A statement read outside the court on his behalf said: "I am obviously delighted with this victory and the clearing of my name in public where it is loud and clear for all to hear.
"The NME have calculatedly tried to damage my integrity and to label me as a racist in order to boost their diminishing circulation.
"Word magazine made the mistake of repeating those allegations, which they now accept are false and, as a result, have apologised in Open Court.
"I will now continue to pursue my legal action against the NME and its editor until they do the same."
(KMcA/JM)
The 48-year-old former Smiths frontman - full name Steven Patrick Morrissey - launched the legal action against the magazine over an article, which appeared in its March edition.
The closing paragraphs of the article, written by David Quantick, referred to comments made by Morrissey in a December issue of NME. The singer has also launched libel proceedings against that publication and it was also confirmed today.
John Reid, Morrissey's solicitor, told the High Court heard how the article, written by David Quantick, "could have been construed to suggest that Mr Morrissey was a racist, held racist opinions or that (as the child of migrant parents) he was a hypocrite."
Mr Reid also said that the article suggested that Morrissey "has in the past paid lip-service only to anti-racism".
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Reid said that 'Word' magazine's publishers, Development Hell and Editor Mark Ellen, never intended the article to have the meanings suggested. He said that they accepted that it would be "absurd" to accuse Morrissey of being a racist or a hypocrite and accepted that he was a well-known supporter of anti-racist groups.
The defendants' solicitor, Caroline Kean, said that they offered their "sincere apologies" to the singer.
Morrissey has also launched libel proceedings against the NME and it was also confirmed today that this action would continue until an apology was also received from them.
Morrissey was not at the High Court for the verdict on Thursday. A statement read outside the court on his behalf said: "I am obviously delighted with this victory and the clearing of my name in public where it is loud and clear for all to hear.
"The NME have calculatedly tried to damage my integrity and to label me as a racist in order to boost their diminishing circulation.
"Word magazine made the mistake of repeating those allegations, which they now accept are false and, as a result, have apologised in Open Court.
"I will now continue to pursue my legal action against the NME and its editor until they do the same."
(KMcA/JM)
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