The slurs on McAlpine were quickly retracted – but the legal runaway train goes hurtling on

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/nov/25/mcalpine-libel-legal-runaway-train

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Of course Lord McAlpine had a horrible seven days between one Friday <em>Newsnight</em> and the next. And, of course, he was badly libelled. But no one could have been cleared of those original, mistaken slurs more comprehensively – or faster. So what should his week of misery cost? If he'd been libelled in the country where he actually lives, Italy – and he didn't want to send some TV producer to prison – the top tariff might settle at €2,065 (less than £1,700). But Britain coughs up £185,000 of BBC licence-fee cash for starters, ITV drops in £125,000 – and hundreds of twitterers start to shiver every time the postman knocks.

McAlpine is giving some of the smaller tweet offenders' money to charity, his lawyer says. Good. Yet how, in the real world, do you balance a vile accusation quickly disproven against an injury (from mugging, perhaps) that can never be healed or forgotten? Look up the criminal injuries compensation tariff for serious brain damage "with no useful physical movement, significant effect on the senses … little or no meaningful response to the environment, little or no language function, double incontinence and the need for full-time nursing care". That's £250,000 – or maybe half of what McAlpine can eventually expect to receive here.

Has he taken these considerations into account? Or has the good old legal runaway train gone charging down the track much as usual, looking for still more original ways of finding gold in them thar hills?