Matt Lucas wins apology and substantial damages from the Daily Star
Entertainment & media
Press release | 25 May 2010
Matt Lucas has obtained a public apology and substantial damages from Express Newspapers, the publishers of the Daily Star, as a result of the publication of grossly intrusive articles following the death of his former husband Kevin McGee.
Mr Lucas had sued the Daily Star for invasion of privacy as a result of articles published by the Daily Star just a few days after Mr McGee’s death on 5 October 2009. The articles were entitled ‘Lucas Ex Blew £2 million on Drugs and Booze, ‘Comedian Matt’s Ex Blew £2 million Fortune Before Killing Himself and ‘Celeb Pals in Vigil for Suicidal Matt’ and were published on 7 and 8 October 2009.
Mr Lucas was understandably very upset and distressed by the publication of such articles. The articles constituted an unlawful intrusion into Mr Lucas’ grief and suffering and an invasion of his privacy. The articles were particularly damaging as a result of the fact that they contained a number of untrue allegations, including the complete fabrication that Mr Lucas had been placed on suicide watch.
Mr Lucas’ lawyer, John Kelly of Schillings, told the High Court in London: “The publication of these articles has caused Mr Lucas considerable upset and distress and constitutes a gross invasion of his privacy. This is especially the case as the articles were published at a time when the Claimant ought to have been given time to grieve.
The Daily Star did not provide Mr Lucas with any warning that it intended to publish the articles or their contents. Had it done so Mr Lucas would have objected to publication.”
Express Newspapers apologised in Court offering “its sincere apologies for invading Mr Lucas’s privacy and intruding into his grief and suffering at this difficult time”. Express Newspapers also retracted the allegations, agreed not to republish them, to publish an apology in the newspaper and to pay Mr Lucas substantial damages and his legal costs.
Express Newspapers accepted in court “that the publication of these articles constitutes an unlawful intrusion into grief and suffering, and has infringed Mr Lucas’s privacy and that the articles should not have been published.” Express Newspapers also accepted that “Mr Lucas was not on suicide watch” as alleged.
Matt Lucas issued a statement through his lawyers, Schillings, saying: “This has been and continues to be a very difficult time for me and all those who loved Kevin. My deep pain and sorrow have been made even greater by the intrusive and defamatory stories made about my private life in The Daily Star just hours after Kevin’s death. I had no choice but to bring these proceedings to protect my private life and my right to grieve in peace. I’d like to add that I take no pleasure or sense of triumph in this settlement. I am just relieved that this case has been resolved and I sincerely hope this sort of intrusive reporting will now end.”