Friday, April 03, 2009

Andrew Marr's publisher pays 'significant' damages to women's campaigner

The publisher of Andrew Marr's best-seller, a History of Modern Britain, has paid out a "significant sum" in damages to a women's campaigner after the book mistakenly linked her to the 1970s terror group the Angry Brigade.
By Stephen Adams reporting in The Telegraph 01 Apr 2009

Andrew Marr, author of 'A History of Modern Britain' Photo: Getty

Macmillan Publishers Ltd was forced to pulp thousands of copies of the BBC journalist's work last month after Erin Pizzey – who set up the country's first women's refuge in Chiswick, west London in 1972 – brought High Court proceedings.
Her solicitor Edward Yell, from libel specialists Carter-Ruck, told Mrs Justice Sharp in London that Marr's book referred to Ms Pizzey having been a "cadet enthusiast" who broke with the Angry Brigade over their plan to bomb the Kensington boutique, Biba, in May 1971.

He said: "These allegations are entirely without foundation. Ms Pizzey has never been a sympathiser or supporter of the Angry Brigade or their violent methods or their objectives as Macmillan Publishers accepts.
"Macmillan is here today to withdraw the allegation unreservedly and to apologise for the distress and embarrassment which the publication has caused to Ms Pizzey."
The full report at the Telegraph.

No comments: