Battle of the Airlines: Court apology to Branson

THIS IS THE text of British Airway's apology read out in the High Court by its counsel, Christopher Clarke QC.

'British Airways and Lord King accept that the allegations against Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic are wholly untrue and are happy to give the undertaking to Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic referred to above.

'Both British Airways and Lord King apologise unreservedly for the injury caused to the reputation and feelings of Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic by the articles and letters which they published.

'In particular, they wish to apologise for having attacked the good faith and integrity of Richard Branson. The investigation which British Airways carried out during the course of this litigation revealed a number of incidents involving their employees which British Airways accept were regrettable and gave Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic reasonable grounds for concern.

'I should, however, like to emphasise that the directors of British Airways were not party to any concerted campaign against Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic.'