Earl Spencer and daughter win libel damages

Earl Spencer and his daughter Kitty accepted substantial undisclosed damages today over claims that they acted improperly in connection with his divorce from his second wife Caroline, and the division of the family assets.

Neither the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, nor 18-year-old Lady Kitty were at London's High Court for the settlement of their libel action against Express Newspapers.

Their solicitor, Rod Christie-Miller, told Mr Justice Eady that the allegations in the article, "The It-girl making the Spencers glamorous", in the Sunday Express in August were false.

The newspaper had offered its sincere apologies for the distress and embarrassment caused and had agreed to pay substantial damages and their legal costs in full.

In a statement issued later, Earl Spencer said: "I hope that this result sends a clear message: that I will not allow my children to be libelled."