Watson wins libel case on email claims

Labour MP Tom Watson today accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over his alleged role in smear emails between former Downing Street press adviser Damian McBride and activist Derek Draper targeting Tory MPs.

The West Bromwich East MP took High Court proceedings over a story in the Mail on Sunday last month.

His solicitor, Claire Gill, told Mr Justice Eady in London that the false allegations, compounded by subsequent articles in the Daily Mail, had caused Mr Watson "acute distress, humiliation and embarrassment".

"Not only was his political career put in jeopardy, but he and his family were exposed to public condemnation and ridicule."

The story referred to the resignation of Mr McBride following the revelation that he had sent emails to Mr Draper which were reported to have made serious and false allegations about a number of Tory MPs.

Ms Gill added that the article's author stated that he understood all the emails were copied to Mr Watson and the MP encouraged it.

She said: "These allegations are entirely untrue."

Adam Cannon, solicitor for Associated Newspapers, which has agreed to pay damages and legal costs, unreservedly withdrew the allegations and apologised.