apology together with substantial damages from well known publishers
Cambridge University Press in settlement of a libel action following
publication of a 2006 book Alms for Jihad, it was announced in the High
Court in London today.
Sheikh Khalid, for many years Chairman of Saudi Arabia's National
Commercial Bank, commenced libel proceedings against the Cambridge
University Press following the publication of Alms for Jihad, which made
a series of allegations including that Sheikh Khalid and his family had
supported Osama Bin Laden and funded terrorist activities. In today's
hearing at the High Court before Mr Justice [ ], the company
accepted that there was no truth whatsoever in any of these
allegations. Cambridge University Press acknowledged that neither
Sheikh Khalid nor any of his family had ever supported or funded
terrorist activities and that the allegations made in the Book were
wholly untrue and unjustified. Sincerely apologising for any distress
and embarrassment that these false statements caused to Sheikh Khalid
and his family, Cambridge University Press's solicitor confirmed that
the company was undertaking to the Court not to repeat the allegations.
Cambridge University Press is taking the almost unprecedented step of
pulping all unsold copies of the Book and writing to over 200 libraries
worldwide which carry the book telling them of the settlement and asking
them to withdraw the book from their shelves. The company will be
publishing a detailed apology on its website, and paying substantial
damages as well as making a contribution to Sheikh Khalid's legal costs.
Laurence Harris, partner at Kendall Freeman, solicitors acting for
Sheikh Khalid said: "Sheikh Khalid welcomes this settlement. When this
book was published Sheikh Khalid had no choice but to issue proceedings
to put to rest these very serious and false allegations. He is pleased
that Cambridge University Press have recognised there was no truth
whatsoever in the allegations, and that his reputation has been
vindicated. He will be donating the substantial damages and costs paid
by Cambridge University Press to UNICEF".
© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com) Posted: 30-07-2007
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