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Peter Cruddas drops libel threat against Independent Peter Cruddas drops libel threat against Independent
(35 minutes later)
The former co-treasurer of the Conservative party, Peter Cruddas, has dropped his threat of libel action against the Independent after it retracted and apologised for the suggestion he was under a criminal investigation.The former co-treasurer of the Conservative party, Peter Cruddas, has dropped his threat of libel action against the Independent after it retracted and apologised for the suggestion he was under a criminal investigation.
In a statement read out in the high court on Thursday, Cruddas's lawyer said the Independent was now willing to apologise for its false assertion that Scotland Yard had opened an investigation into the businessman.In a statement read out in the high court on Thursday, Cruddas's lawyer said the Independent was now willing to apologise for its false assertion that Scotland Yard had opened an investigation into the businessman.
The Independent's article was headlined "Tory 'cash for access' affair" and referred to a meeting between Cruddas and Sunday Times undercover reporters, who claimed he was willing to accept a donation of £250,000 from foreign sources, something illegal under electoral law.The Independent's article was headlined "Tory 'cash for access' affair" and referred to a meeting between Cruddas and Sunday Times undercover reporters, who claimed he was willing to accept a donation of £250,000 from foreign sources, something illegal under electoral law.
In the original Sunday Times story Cruddas was alleged to be willing to accept foreign cash for access to David Cameron.In the original Sunday Times story Cruddas was alleged to be willing to accept foreign cash for access to David Cameron.
Lois Cole-Wilson, counsel for the Independent, told Mr Justice Eady: "They completely accept, in line with the conclusions of Scotland Yard, that there was no evidence of any criminal conduct on the part of Peter Cruddas, either directly or by implication. They also acknowledge that at no time was Mr Cruddas under formal investigation by the Metropolitan police.Lois Cole-Wilson, counsel for the Independent, told Mr Justice Eady: "They completely accept, in line with the conclusions of Scotland Yard, that there was no evidence of any criminal conduct on the part of Peter Cruddas, either directly or by implication. They also acknowledge that at no time was Mr Cruddas under formal investigation by the Metropolitan police.
She added: "Publishers of the Independent wish to express their very great regret that they gave publicity to these highly damaging allegations."She added: "Publishers of the Independent wish to express their very great regret that they gave publicity to these highly damaging allegations."
The Independent agreed to pay Cruddas's legal costs and to make a substantial donation to the Peter Cruddas Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged young people.The Independent agreed to pay Cruddas's legal costs and to make a substantial donation to the Peter Cruddas Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged young people.
The article appeared on 9 June, 2012, two and a half months after the Sunday Times undercover operation, which was followed by Cruddas's resignation as the Tory co-treasurer.The article appeared on 9 June, 2012, two and a half months after the Sunday Times undercover operation, which was followed by Cruddas's resignation as the Tory co-treasurer.
Jeremy Clarke-Williams, lawyer for Cruddas, said it was clear the Independent had assumed that the Sunday Times had evidence to back up its allegations and it erroneously believed the Metropolitan police had launched a formal investigation into his supposed conduct.Jeremy Clarke-Williams, lawyer for Cruddas, said it was clear the Independent had assumed that the Sunday Times had evidence to back up its allegations and it erroneously believed the Metropolitan police had launched a formal investigation into his supposed conduct.
In reality, he said, the Met had "done no more than carry out what they have called a proportionate assessment of the material generated by the Sunday Times" and they had found no evidence of any criminal conduct.In reality, he said, the Met had "done no more than carry out what they have called a proportionate assessment of the material generated by the Sunday Times" and they had found no evidence of any criminal conduct.
"The officer in charge wrote to Mr Cruddas on 3 September stating that he had concluded that there was no evidence of any criminal conduct on the part of Mr Cruddas either directly or by implication during the course of the Sunday Times investigations. He added that no inchoate offences had been committed," said Clarke-Williams."The officer in charge wrote to Mr Cruddas on 3 September stating that he had concluded that there was no evidence of any criminal conduct on the part of Mr Cruddas either directly or by implication during the course of the Sunday Times investigations. He added that no inchoate offences had been committed," said Clarke-Williams.
He added: "Mr Cruddas is prepared to accept that apology and not to proceed to litigation."He added: "Mr Cruddas is prepared to accept that apology and not to proceed to litigation."
Cruddas is also suing the Sunday Times over its original story, which the paper is defending. The businessman has also begun proceedings against Mark Adams, the lobbyist who helped prompt the Sunday Times investigation.
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