Defame game

Carr's dad wins libel payout

Jimmy Carr’s estranged father has won a second libel payout over a Sunday Telegraph interview with his son.

The comic and his dad, Jim, have been in a bitter feud since Jimmy’s mother Nora died in 2001.

Jimmy and his brother Colin bought harassment charges against their father, who was later cleared after Jimmy failed to show up in court. Meanwhile Jim accuses the comedian of being a ‘manipulator’ who ignored the help he was given in getting to the top.

Jim recently won £12,000 in an out-of-court settlement over the Sunday Telegraph interview that he said was defamatory because it portrayed him as a bad parent.

However, despite the payout, the paper left the story on its website, and has now agreed to pay a further £5,000.

Jim is also involved in a separate action against the Evening Standard, again over an interview with his son.

He told newspaper industry magazine UK Press Gazette: ‘My son has made false statements about me to various newspapers and even to the police. I have received apologies or damages from all concerned, save my son.’

Published: 22 Jun 2006

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