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Matt Nixson and News International settle employment case Matt Nixson and News International settle employment case
(35 minutes later)
The Sun newspaper's former features editor Matt Nixson has settled his case with News International, more than a year after being dismissed amid allegations that he bribed a prison guard.The Sun newspaper's former features editor Matt Nixson has settled his case with News International, more than a year after being dismissed amid allegations that he bribed a prison guard.
Nixson was dismissed after an accusation by News Group Newspapers, the News International subsidiary that publishes the Sun, that he had made a £750 payment to a prison guard for information about Ian Huntley, the Soham killer.Nixson was dismissed after an accusation by News Group Newspapers, the News International subsidiary that publishes the Sun, that he had made a £750 payment to a prison guard for information about Ian Huntley, the Soham killer.
This alleged incident, uncovered by News Corporation's management and standards committee (MSC) and revealed in court documents filed in January, supposedly occurred when he was working at News of the World in March 2009.This alleged incident, uncovered by News Corporation's management and standards committee (MSC) and revealed in court documents filed in January, supposedly occurred when he was working at News of the World in March 2009.
Nixson, who joined the Sun in April 2010 after five years at the News of the World, has consistently denied bribing a prison officer. He was sacked from the Sun in July last year.Nixson, who joined the Sun in April 2010 after five years at the News of the World, has consistently denied bribing a prison officer. He was sacked from the Sun in July last year.
At the time of his dismissal the police had announced that they had no interest in Nixson, who launched an employment tribunal claim and also sued the MSC.At the time of his dismissal the police had announced that they had no interest in Nixson, who launched an employment tribunal claim and also sued the MSC.
He was seeking £100,00 in damages for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract.He was seeking £100,00 in damages for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract.
Nixson has now agreed to drop his legal action against members of the MSC.Nixson has now agreed to drop his legal action against members of the MSC.
"Matt Nixson and News Group Newspapers Limited have reached an agreement, without admission of liability, to settle the claims brought by Matt Nixson against News Group Newspapers Limited in respect of the termination of his employment," News International and Nixson said in a joint statement. "Matt Nixson has withdrawn his claims against Lord Grabiner QC, William Lewis, Simon Greenberg and Jeffrey Palker without admission of liability by any of those defendants.""Matt Nixson and News Group Newspapers Limited have reached an agreement, without admission of liability, to settle the claims brought by Matt Nixson against News Group Newspapers Limited in respect of the termination of his employment," News International and Nixson said in a joint statement. "Matt Nixson has withdrawn his claims against Lord Grabiner QC, William Lewis, Simon Greenberg and Jeffrey Palker without admission of liability by any of those defendants."
No details of the settlement have been made public.No details of the settlement have been made public.
News Corp is thought to have covered all legal expenses in the year-long legal battle, as well as an unspecified amount in compensation.
"I am really pleased to have reached agreement with News Group Newspapers," said Nixson. "I am particularly grateful to the many journalists, former colleagues and friends in the press, including at News International, who have provided incredible support to me and my family over the last year."
"My client is a widely respected and highly experienced senior journalist," said Alison Downie, a solicitor at Goodman Derrick. "The high court and employment tribunal litigation has ended by settlement, with Matt Nixson's high reputation and professional integrity maintained. He is glad to be able to put the litigation behind him and looks forward to continuing the career he loves."
One source said: "Matt feels totally vindicated by this. It was a really David-and-Goliath situation and he won. News International backed down and it has cost them a lot of money. He'd love to work for them again and is just really sorry that it had to come to this and wants to get on with his life."
Nixson said: "I'm incredibly grateful to Barry Fitzpatrick and Roy Mincoff of the National Union of Journalists, and all their colleagues, for backing me unstintingly during this very difficult period. I would also like to thank my solicitor Alison Downie of Goodman Derrick for acting for me and her support."
It emerged in July this year that Nixson was in talks about a potential return to News International.It emerged in July this year that Nixson was in talks about a potential return to News International.
But Friends of Nixson said that his talks to rejoin News International went cold months ago, although he would still not rule out a return to the publisher.
Nixson's treatment by News International has been heavily criticised by journalists inside and outside the company.Nixson's treatment by News International has been heavily criticised by journalists inside and outside the company.
"We are delighted that we have settled Matt's case," said Barry Fitzpatrick, the deputy general secretary of the National Union of Journalists. "It has been a very difficult ordeal for him and his family for the past 14 months. He has thanked the union and all the members who sent messages of support and the support he has received from within the media.""We are delighted that we have settled Matt's case," said Barry Fitzpatrick, the deputy general secretary of the National Union of Journalists. "It has been a very difficult ordeal for him and his family for the past 14 months. He has thanked the union and all the members who sent messages of support and the support he has received from within the media."