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Thursday May 15, 2008

Hugh Grant and Liz Hurley have today accepted damages of $116,000 for invasion of privacy over photographs taken of them on holiday.

The pictures, taken at a private resort in the Maldives, were published in Britain’s Mail On Sunday newspaper; and on their website in an article headed “Hugh’s that gooseberry?”; and in the News of the World newspaper in an article headed “Liz does the blokey-cokey”, and on their website.

None of the three claimants was at the High Court in London to hear the settlement against Big Pictures (UK) Ltd and Eliot Press SARL.

The agencies have also apologized unequivocally and agreed to pay some of the group’s legal costs.

Contributions towards the damages will also be made by Associated Newspapers (publisher of the Mail); and News Group Newspapers (publisher of the News Of The World).

Laura Tyler, solicitor for Grant, Hurley and Arun Nayar [Hurley's husband], told Mr Justice Eady at the High Court that the photos were taken covertly without the claimants’ knowledge.

The three were on holiday in a resort which they had chosen for the complete privacy and seclusion it offered, she added.

“It has been most upsetting for the claimants to have their privacy invaded by these defendants,” she said.

The photos were offered to a number of other newspapers and celebrity magazines in October 2007.

Matthew Nicklin, counsel for the agencies, said that they offered their apologies for any distress which they may have caused.