&c1=usa&c2=(none)&c3=The+Guardian&c4=Daily+Star,Press+and+publishing,Jeffrey+Archer,Media,Conservatives,Politics,UK+news&c5=&c6=Matt+Wells,+media+correspondent&c7=2001_07_20){kind=small}
- The Guardian,
- Friday July 20 2001
The Daily Star launched a £2.2m legal action against Lord Archer yesterday, in an attempt to recover the money it lost after the disgraced peer's original 1987 libel action.
Peter Hill, the editor, said that yesterday's verdict vindicated the newspaper, and that Archer had "finally got his comeuppance".
He claimed the paper's editor in 1987, Lloyd Turner, had died prematurely as a result of losing the case.
The newspaper has issued a writ to recover the original £500,000 it paid out in libel damages in 1987 - equivalent to £900,000 today - plus a further £1.3m in legal costs.
The News of the World, which published the original story about Archer and paid £50,000 in an out-of-court settlement, said it was seeking £300,000. It claimed credit yesterday for publishing stories that later exposed his lies, leading to his prosecution.
Mr Hill said Archer had ruined Mr Turner's life. He said: "I think Lloyd Turner has been vindicated. He was sacked because of the result in 1987.
"I think it also vindicates Monica Coghlan, who is also dead. These people got no justice but at least it has now been done.
The News of the World claimed credit for bringing Archer to trial after it published reports in 1999 that the disgraced peer created a false alibi to protect himself.
The managing editor, Stuart Kuttner, said: "Our thorough journalism has been fully vindicated by the jury's verdict today."
He added: "Further, we are delighted that Ted Francis who was drawn into the affair as part of Lord Archer's plot to mislead a jury and fool a judge in the high court has rightly been exonerated."
Related articles
17.07.2001: Archer jury sent home
14.07.2001: Archer case jury considers verdict
13.07.2001: Death of Archer's mother prompts judge to warn jury
13.07.2001: Archer jury begins deliberations
Picture gallery
Lord Archer - a life in pictures
Trial reports
Read how the trial unfolded
Background
Timeline: the life and times of Jeffrey Archer
Key quotes from the trial
Profile: Archer's year of living dangerously
Full text - the charges
Audio
19.06.2001: Archer 'spurned mistress for political career' (3mins 17)
