'Tapas Seven' Libel Payout, 16 Oct 2008

Transcript of Fiona Payne's statement, 16 October 2008

Transcript of Fiona Payne's statement outside High Court   16 October 2008   "Good morning.   I'm Fiona Payne and I'm speaking on behalf of the group.   'The abduction of Madeleine McCann, the daughter of our friends Kate and Gerry, on May 3rd 2007, changed all our lives in an instant.   But for no-one more so than Madeleine.   The defamatory stories written about us were not only extremely damaging on a personal level but we strongly feel were detrimental to the search for Madeleine.    This aspect has been particularly heartbreaking to witness.   Although we are very pleased with today's result it changes little when Madeleine's plight remains ongoing: She is still missing and her abductor still free.   Our only aim is to see her safely recovered and reunited with the family who so adore her.   All the damages received today are being paid directly into the Find Madeleine Fund to continue this ongoing search and investigation into her disappearance.   We believe that Madeleine is still alive and can be found.    We ask anyone who has any information, however small or seemingly unimportant, please come forward.   Contact details can be found on the Find Madeleine website.   And finally, we thank wholeheartedly all those who have already helped in the search for Madeleine.'   Thank you."

Press Release, 16 October 2008

Press Release Carter-Ruck "Tapas Seven" Secure Apologies and £375,000 in Libel Damages from Express Newspapers 16 October 2008 The Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers have today published full apologies to Jane Tanner, Russell O'Brien, Fiona Payne, David Payne, Matthew Oldfield, Rachael Oldfield and Dianne Webster, the group of friends who were with Kate and Gerry McCann when their daughter Madeleine was abducted in Portugal in May 2007. The Sunday Express will be publishing a separate apology to Russell O’Brien and Jane Tanner this Sunday. Between July and December 2007 these newspapers published around twenty articles, falsely alleging that the friends, who became known in the media as the "Tapas 7", were to be suspected of involvement in Madeleine's abduction and of having misled the Portuguese authorities investigating her disappearance. The articles also falsely suggested that the seven had covered up the true facts concerning Madeleine's disappearance. As well as publishing apologies, the Express Group further apologised in the High Court in London today before Mr Justice Eady. The solicitor representing the seven individuals, Carter-Ruck partner Adam Tudor, told Mr Justice Eady that Express Newspapers had acknowledged the complete falsity of the allegations in question and that there was no evidence to support them. The newspapers also acknowledged that the actions of the individuals following Madeleine's disappearance were entirely proper and motivated solely by a desire to find Madeleine and support Kate and Gerry McCann at such a difficult time. Express Group has also agreed to pay libel damages of £375,000 to the seven, every penny of which will be donated, at their request, to the fund established to help find Madeleine. Express Newspapers will also be paying the legal costs of bringing the complaint.

Statement in Open Court, 16 October 2008

Statement in Open Court Carter-Ruck (1) Jane Tanner (2) Russell O'Brien (3) Fiona Payne (4) David Payne (5) Matthew Oldfield (6) Rachael Oldfield (7) Dianne Webster and Express Newspapers 16 October 2008 Solicitor Advocate for the Claimants My Lord, in this action I appear for the Claimants Jane Tanner, Russell O'Brien, Fiona Payne, David Payne, Matthew Oldfield, Rachael Oldfield and Dianne Webster. My friend Mr Keith Mathieson appears for the Defendant, Express Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Express, the Sunday Express and the Daily Star. The Claimants are all friends of Kate and Gerry McCann and were holidaying with the McCanns in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.  On the night of Madeleine McCann's disappearance, the Claimants were dining with the McCanns in a restaurant close to the McCanns' apartment. The Claimants have frequently been  referred to in the media and have become popularly known as the "Tapas 7". Between July and December last year, the Defendant published a number of articles which referred to the Tapas 7 or to one or more of the Claimants individually.  These articles  suggested that at least some of the Claimants, in particular Dr O'Brien, had been identified as potential suspects by the Portuguese authorities.  The articles also suggested that the Claimants had covered up the true facts concerning Madeleine McCann's disappearance and misled the authorities investigating her disappearance. The Defendant accepts that these  allegations are wholly untrue and that there is no evidence to support them. The Defendant acknowledges that the actions of the Claimants following Madeleine's disappearance were entirely proper and were motivated by a desire to find Madeleine and to support the McCann family through a very difficult and stressful time. The Defendant is represented here today by its solicitor in order to apologise for the distress and embarrassment caused to the Claimants. Full apologies are also being published by the three newspapers in question. As an expression of its regret, the Defendant has agreed to pay substantial damages to the Claimants, which they will donate to the Find Madeleine Fund.  The Defendant has also agreed to pay the Claimants' legal costs. Solicitor for the Defendant My Lord, on behalf of the Defendant, I confirm what my friend has said. The Defendant apologises to each of the Claimants for publishing false allegations about them. The Defendant regrets the distress caused to the Claimants and in acknowledgment of that I confirm that the Defendant has agreed to pay substantial damages to the Claimants, which they will donate to the Find Madeleine Fund, and to pay their legal costs. Solicitor Advocate for the Claimants My Lord, in all the circumstances, I am pleased to confirm that the Claimants' objectives in bringing these proceedings have been achieved. Adam Tudor Carter-Ruck Solicitor Advocate on behalf of the Claimants Keith Mathieson Reynolds Porter Chamberlain on behalf of the Defendant

Media reports, pictures and videos

Carter Ruck will advise 'Tapas 7', 07 July 2008

Carter Ruck will advise 'Tapas 7' The Independent   By Tom Peck and Robert Verkaik Monnday, 7 July 2008   Four months after Gerry and Kate McCann won apologies and a £550,000 libel pay out from four newspapers for "grotesque and grossly defamatory" articles concerning the disappearance of their daughter, Madeleine, seven friends of the couple have employed the same lawyers to act against at least one national newspaper.   The Carter Ruck libel firm is advising the so-called "Tapas Seven" group who were with the McCanns on the evening of Madeleine's disappearance in May 2007 in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz. Matthew Oldfield, Rachel Oldfield, Russell O'Brien, Jane Tanner, David Payne, Fiona Payne and Diane Webster are in talks with the Carter Ruck partner Adam Tudor, with action expected within weeks.   Mr Tudor, who acted for the McCanns, yesterday commented: "I can confirm I and my firm are advising the seven friends." He declined to elaborate or specify which newspaper they were considering suing.   At the centre of possible action would be suggestions that the friends kept a "pact of silence" in their dealings with police, and that they refused to take part in a reconstruction of the night Madeleine disappeared.

Madeleine: Tapas 7 Win Payout, 15 October 2008

Madeleine: Tapas 7 Win Payout Sky News   BREAKING NEWS   4.40pm, UK, Wednesday October 15, 2008    Friends who were with the parents of Madeleine McCann when she disappeared in Portugal are to be paid £375,000 in libel damages by Express Newspapers.   Sky's Crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: "The Tapas 7, friends of Kate and Gerry McCann - those who were on holiday with them in Portugal last year - are to receive apologies tomorrow morning in the High Court from Express Newspapers, and they will share a payout of £375,000.   "I'm told an apology will be read out in the court and then there'll be statements from the McCanns and the 'Tapas 7' lawyers.   "There will also be apologies in the Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers and we can expect something similar in the Sunday Express."   "The friends had complained about around two dozen articles in which they claimed they were libelled; accusations that they had covered up the truth of what had happened to Madeleine, allegations that they had obstructed the authorities and even allegations that one of them had been involved in Madeleine's disappearance," said Brunt.   "This is the third time this year newspapers have agreed a settlement.   "The first settlement was against Express Newspapers - they were forced to pay out just over £500,000 to Kate and Gerry McCann for more than 100 defamatory articles.   "In July, a number of newspaper groups were involved in an even bigger payout - around £600,000 - to Robert Mural, the first suspect in the case, who was subsequently cleared of suspicion by the Portuguese authorities.   *   Updated article:   Madeleine: 'Tapas 7' win payout Sky News   5:38pm UK, Wednesday October 15, 2008   Friends who were with the parents of Madeleine McCann when she disappeared in Portugal are to receive £375,000 in libel damages.   Sky's Crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: "The Tapas 7, friends of Kate and Gerry McCann - those who were on holiday with them in Portugal last year - are to receive apologies in the High Court on Thursday morning from Express Newspapers, and they will share a payout of £375,000.   "I'm told an apology will be read out in the court and then there'll be statements from the McCanns and the 'Tapas 7' lawyers.   "There will also be apologies in the Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers and we can expect something similar in the Sunday Express."   "I understand the money will go into the Madeleine Fund.   "The friends had complained about around two dozen articles in which they claimed they were libelled; accusations that they had covered up the truth of what had happened to Madeleine, allegations that they had obstructed the authorities and even allegations that one of them had been involved in Madeleine's disappearance," said Brunt.   The seven are couples Jane Tanner and Russell O'Brien, Rachael and Matthew Oldfield, Fiona and David Payne, and Mrs Payne's mother, Dianne Webster.   With the McCanns, they made up the party staying in Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May last year when Madeleine disappeared, just days before her fourth birthday.   The nickname for the group comes from the tapas restaurant where all nine adults were dining when Madeleine went missing from her family's holiday apartment nearby.   Brunt added: "This is the third time this year newspapers have agreed a settlement.   "The first was against Express Newspapers - they were forced to pay out just over £500,000 to Kate and Gerry McCann for more than 100 defamatory articles.   "In July, a number of newspaper groups were involved in an even bigger payout - around £600,000 - to Robert Murat, the first suspect in the case, who was subsequently cleared of suspicion by the Portuguese authorities."

Tapas Seven to receive damages from Express Group, 15 October 2008

Tapas Seven to receive damages from Express Group Telegraph   The friends of Kate and Gerry McCann, on holiday with the couple when their daughter Madeleine disappeared, are expected to receive nearly £400,000 in damages from the Express Group.   By Caroline Gammell Last Updated: 6:30PM BST 15 Oct 2008    The group – known as the Tapas Seven – took action against the Daily Express, the Daily Star and the Sunday Express over around 20 defamatory articles.   They complained about the implication that they may have lied about the circumstances in which three-year-old Madeleine vanished from Praia da Luz last May and misled the authorities.   It is understood that a settlement has been reached and will be outlined in the High Court tomorrow. All of the seven, who are represented by Carter-Ruck, are expected to be at court apart from Russell O'Brien and Jne Tanner.   The Express and The Daily Star are expected to print apologies to all seven in tomorrow's (thurs) edition of the newspaper.   It is understood that the group will receive around £375,000 which will be donated to the Find Madeleine Fund, taking the total in the find to more than £800,000.   The Tapas Seven – who were on holiday with the McCanns in the Algarve - are Jane Tanner and Russell O'Brien, from Exeter, Rachael and Matthew Oldfield, from London, Fiona and David Payne, from Leicester, and Dianne Webster, from Leicester.   The Express Group paid Mrs and Mrs McCann £500,000 compensation over the suggestion that they may have been involved in their daughter's disappearance.

Madeleine: More Sub-stantial Damages, 15 October 2008

Madeleine: More Sub-stantial Damages Sky News   By Martin Brunt October 15, 2008 5:59 PM   Back to the High Court in the morning and another Madeleine McCann payout... this time to the 'Tapas 7'.   Where will it end? Here, probably. Unless other hacks want to push their luck.   Kate and Gerry's friends who were with them in Portugal had complained about 20 or so newspaper articles which accused them, variously, of covering up details of Madeleine's disappearance and misleading the authorities there.   In one case there was an allegation, based on Portuguese reports, that one of the friends had been involved in the disappearance.   The latest payment of £375,000 is from Express Newspapers, which have already paid the McCanns £550,000.   Although the award is to the McCann friends, I gather it will go to the Madeleine Fund to help in the continued search for the young girl.   Any connection between the combined £925,000 Express payout and the 86 redundancies recently announced at the, er, Express is entirely coincidental.   Those losing their jobs are mostly sub-editors, who provide a check on the exuberance and accuracy of the papers' reporters.

Metro report states that 'Tapas Seven' were with the parents of Madeleine 'on the night she died', 15 October 2008

Screenshot of Metro article stating Madeleine 'died' Tapas 7's '£375k damages' for Maddie reports Metro   Wednesday, October 15, 2008   Friends of Madeleine McCann's parents who were with the couple on the night she died are to receive £375,000 in libel damages, it has been reported.   Sky News said the money will be paid out to the so-called "Tapas Seven" by Express Newspapers.   The group were holidaying with Kate and Gerry McCann when three-year-old Madeleine disappeared in May last year.   The Channel's crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: "The Tapas Seven, friends of Kate and Gerry McCann - those who were on hoiday with them in Portugal last year - are to receive apologies tomorrow morning in the High Court from Express Newspapers, and they will share a payout of £375,000.   "I'm told an apology will be read out in the court and then there'll be statements from the McCanns and the 'Tapas 7' lawyers.   "There will also be apologies in the Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers."   The newspaper group has already paid £550,000 dmanages to the McCann's after suggested they may have been involved in their daughter's disappearance.   The money is likely to go toward the Find Madeleine fund.

'The Tapas Seven' - An apology, 16 October 2008

'The Tapas Seven' - An apology Daily Express   Thursday October 16, 2008    In articles published between July and December last year we suggested that the holiday companions of Kate and Gerry McCann might have covered up the true facts concerning Madeleine McCann's disappearance and/or misled the authorities investigating her disappearance.   We also reported speculation that one member of the group, Dr Russell O’Brien, was suspected of involvement with Madeleine's abduction.   We now accept that these suggestions should never have been made and were completely untrue.   We apologise to Jane Tanner, Russell O'Brien, Fiona Payne, David Payne, Matthew Oldfield, Rachael Oldfield and Diane Webster to whom we have agreed to pay substantial damages which they will be donating to the Find Madeleine Fund.   *   'The Tapas Seven' - An apology Daily Star   16th October 2008   In articles published in September and November last year we suggested that the holiday companions of Kate and Gerry McCann might have covered up the true facts concerning Madeleine McCann's disappearance and/or misled the authorities investigating her disappearance.   We also suggested that the McCanns' friends had been identified as potential suspects.   We now accept that these suggestions should never have been made and were completely untrue.   We apologise to Jane Tanner, Russell O'Brien, Fiona Payne, David Payne, Matthew Oldfield, Rachael Oldfield and Diane Webster to whom we have agreed to pay substantial damages which they will be donating to the Find Madeleine Fund.

Madeleine McCann: Daily Express publishes apology to 'Tapas Seven', 16 October 2008

Madeleine McCann: Daily Express publishes apology to 'Tapas Seven' Telegraph   The Daily Express newspaper has printed an apology to friends of Kate and Gerry McCann, as part of a legal settlement thought to include nearly £400,000 in damages.   By Matthew Moore Last Updated: 8:18AM BST 16 Oct 2008    The group – known as the Tapas Seven – had taken action against the Express Group over a series of articles relating to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann from the Portuguese resort where they were all holidaying last year.   Under the headline "Tapas Seven – an apology" on page five of Thursday's paper, the Daily Express apologised for publishing "completely untrue" suggestions that the friends may have lied about the circumstances of the case.   "In articles published between July and December last year we suggested that the holiday companions of Kate and Gerry McCann might have covered up the true facts concerning Madeleine McCann's disappearance and/or misled the authorities investigating her disappearance," the apology read.   "We also reported speculation that one member of the group, Dr Russell O'Brien, was suspected of involvement with Madeleine's abduction.   "We now accept that these suggestions should never have been made and were completely untrue.   "We apologise to Jane Tanner, Russell O'Brien, Fiona Payne, David Payne, Matthew Oldfield, Rachael Oldfield and Diane Webster to whom we have agreed to pay substantial damages which they will donate to the Find Madeleine Fund."   The same apology was printed in the Daily Star newspaper.   The full details of the Tapas Seven's settlement with Express Newspapers, which also publishes the Sunday Express and Daily Star, will be outlined in the High Court.   The seven, who are represented by Carter-Ruck, are expected to be at court except for Russell O'Brien and Jane Tanner.   It is understood that the group will receive around £375,000 which will be donated to the Find Madeleine Fund, taking the total in the fund to more than £800,000.   The Express Group paid Mrs and Mrs McCann £500,000 compensation over the suggestion that they may have been involved in their daughter's disappearance.

'Tapas 7' arrive at High Court, 16 October 2008

'Tapas 7' Arrive At High Court Sky News   BREAKING NEWS   10:27am UK, Thursday October 16, 2008   Friends of Kate and Gerry McCann have arrived at the High Court to receive £375,000 in newspaper damages.   The Express Newspapers group will pay out the huge sum after falsely claiming the so-called 'Tapas 7' misled the Madeleine investigation.   It has also apologised to the friends, who were eating with the couple in a nearby restaurant on the night the girl disappeared.   The seven are expected to donate the money to the Find Madeleine fund.   More follows...   *   Update:   'Tapas 7' Arrive At High Court Sky News   10:39am UK, Thursday October 16, 2008   Friends of Kate and Gerry McCann have arrived at the High Court to receive £375,000 in newspaper damages.  Kate and Gerry McCann friends arrive at High Court The Express Newspapers group will pay out the huge sum after falsely claiming the so-called 'Tapas 7' misled the Madeleine investigation.   It has also apologised to the friends, who were eating with the couple in a nearby restaurant on the night the girl disappeared.   The seven are couples Jane Tanner and Russell O'Brien, Rachael and Matthew Oldfield, Fiona and David Payne, and Mrs Payne's mother, Dianne Webster.   They are expected to donate the money to the Find Madeleine fund.   The friends were on holiday with the McCanns in Praia da Luz, Portugal, last May, when Madeleine disappeared, just days before her fourth birthday.   The nickname for the group came from the restaurant where all nine adults were dining when Madeleine went missing from her family's holiday apartment nearby.   Sky's Crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: "This is the third time this year newspapers have agreed a settlement.   "The first was against Express Newspapers - they were forced to pay out just over £500,000 to Kate and Gerry McCann for more than 100 defamatory articles.   "In July, a number of newspaper groups were involved in an even bigger payout - around £600,000 - to Robert Murat, the first suspect in the case, who was subsequently cleared of suspicion by the Portuguese authorities."   *   Update to headline/header:   'Tapas 7' Receive £375k Damages   10:53am UK, Thursday October 16, 2008   Friends of Kate and Gerry McCann have received £375,000 in newspaper damages at the High Court.   The Express Newspapers group paid out the huge sum after falsely claiming the so-called 'Tapas 7' misled the Madeleine investigation.   It also apologised to the friends, who were eating with the couple in a nearby restaurant on the night the girl disappeared.   (article then continues as above)   *   'Tapas 7' Receive £375k Damages Sky News   11:01am UK, Thursday October 16, 2008   Friends of Kate and Gerry McCann have received £375,000 in newspaper damages at the High Court.   The Express Newspapers group paid out the huge sum after falsely claiming the so-called 'Tapas 7' misled the Madeleine investigation.   It also apologised to the friends, who were eating with the couple in a nearby restaurant on the night the girl disappeared.   The seven - couples Jane Tanner and Russell O'Brien, Rachael and Matthew Oldfield, Fiona and David Payne, and Mrs Payne's mother, Dianne Webster - said they will donate the money to the Find Madeleine fund.   Speaking outside court, Fiona Payne said the libellous stories printed in the Express and Star newspapers had been "detrimental to the search for Madeleine - this aspect has been particularly heart-breaking to ourselves."   The friends were on holiday with the McCanns in Praia da Luz, Portugal, last May, when Madeleine disappeared, just days before her fourth birthday.   (article then continues as previously)   *   'Tapas 7' Receive £375k Damages Sky News   11:09am UK, Thursday October 16, 2008   Friends of Kate and Gerry McCann have received £375,000 in newspaper damages at the High Court.   The Express Newspapers group paid out the huge sum after falsely claiming the so-called 'Tapas 7' misled the Madeleine investigation.   It also apologised to the friends, who were eating with the couple in a nearby restaurant on the night the girl disappeared.   The seven - couples Jane Tanner and Russell O'Brien, Rachael and Matthew Oldfield, Fiona and David Payne, and Mrs Payne's mother, Dianne Webster - said they will donate the money to the Find Madeleine fund.   Speaking outside court, Mrs Payne said the pay-out "changed little" because Madeleine was still missing.   She said the libellous stories printed in the Express and Star newspapers were not only personally, but "detrimental to the search for Madeleine - this aspect has been particularly heart-breaking to ourselves."   Statement From Tapas 7 Outside The High Court Mrs Payne also urged anyone with information to get in contact through the Find Madeleine website, stressing: "We believe that Madeleine is still alive and can be found."   The friends were on holiday with the McCanns in Praia da Luz, Portugal, last May, when Madeleine disappeared, just days before her fourth birthday.   (article then continues as previously)   *   Update to headline and photo changed:   Madeleine: 'Tapas 7' Win Damages Sky News   1:44pm UK, Thursday October 16, 2008   Friends of Kate and Gerry McCann have accepted £375,000 in newspaper damages at the High Court. (article then continues as previously)