Disabled woman sues `Sun' for libel

THE SUN newspaper faces legal action over its decision to erase a disabled woman and her wheelchair from a photograph of the England cricket team.

Shelley Anne Emery will sue The Sun for libel, her husband Stephen said yesterday. Her case has been taken up on a "no-win no-fee" basis by the media lawyers Stephens Innocent. The couple have also taken their case to the Press Complaints Commission. "Our motivation is not money," Mr Emery said. "If we win the libel case we will take a holiday and also make a donation to the Spina Bifida Association."

Amber Melville-Brown, of Stephens Innocent, said: "We think modern technology has made it easier for the manipulation of pictures and it was only a matter of time before it reached an extreme, as in this case, causing severe distress and damage."

The Emerys remain upset at the removal of Mrs Emery from a picture of the England team celebrating their Test victory over South Africa at Headingley on 10 August. They received a letter of apology from The Sun, which also published an apology and reprinted the original photograph.