Lesley Sanderson

Lesley Sanderson has settled her libel action against Sport Newspapers Limited receiving an apology and a substantial sum in damages.

Miss Sanderson appeared on the reality television programme, Big Brother, in the summer of 2005. Following her exit from the programme, the Sunday Sport published an article falsely alleging that she had been involved in a three-in-the-bed sex session with two brothers. The article also made various other false allegations of sexual impropriety.

The Sport has accepted that there was no truth whatsoever in the allegations and publicly apologised to Miss Sanderson for the distress that the untrue allegations caused.

Press Release

Lesley Sanderson v Sport Newspapers Limited Press Release

3 October 2006

Lesley Sanderson has today settled her libel action over an article published in the Sunday Sport and has accepted a substantial sum in compensation and payment of her legal costs. The newspaper publicly apologised today to Miss Sanderson in the High Court in London.

Miss Sanderson appeared on the reality television programme, Big Brother, in the summer of 2005. Following her exit from the programme, the Sunday Sport published an article falsely alleging that she had been involved in a three-in-the-bed sex session with two brothers. The article also made various other false allegations of sexual impropriety. Miss Sanderson sued the Sunday Sport for defamation.

Today in the High Court, before Mr Justice Eady, Hanna Basha, on behalf of Miss Sanderson told the Court that the allegations contained in the article had been fabricated by the two brothers concerned. The Sport’s representative accepted that there was no truth whatsoever in the allegations. The newspaper also publicly apologised to Miss Sanderson for the distress that the untrue allegations had caused her.

Miss Sanderson, expressed her delight at the outcome of the proceedings and said:

“I am very happy with the result and delighted that my name has been cleared of these false, highly damaging and very serious allegations which have proved to be completely unfounded.”

Enquiries to Hanna Basha on +44 20 7353 5005.

Statement in Open Court

Lesley Sanderson v Sport Newspapers Limited SiOC

3 October 2006

The Claimant’s Solicitor-Advocate
My Lord, in this action I represent Lesley Sanderson, the Claimant. My friend Adam Wolanski represents the Defendant. The Claimant was a contestant in last summer’s Channel 4 series of “Big Brother” and the Defendant is the publisher of the Sunday Sport.

On 5 June 2005 an article was published in the Sunday Sport under the heading “I roasted Lesley with my big bruv!” in which it falsely alleged that Lesley Sanderson had picked up two brothers, both total strangers to her, in a nightclub in Huddersfield and that same night had a three-in-the-bed sex session with them. The article made various other false allegations of sexual impropriety.

All the allegations were totally and utterly untrue. They were a complete fabrication by the two brothers, which they have subsequently admitted. However, regrettably the Defendant did not appreciate this at the time the allegations were published.

The article caused Lesley Sanderson huge distress, humiliation and embarrassment. She found it horrific and extremely upsetting, especially knowing that it would be read by her friends and family. She still finds it difficult to go out socially knowing that people have read the false claims about her.

The Defendant has accepted that there is no truth whatsoever in the allegations and has made an Offer of Amends. An apology has already been published in the Sunday Sport and the Defendant has also agreed to pay a substantial sum in compensation and legal costs and has agreed to join in this statement.

The Defendant’s Solicitor
On behalf of the Defendant I endorse what has been said by my friend. The Defendant apologies to Lesley Sanderson for the distress its article has caused her and is happy to join in this statement to publicly apologise.

The Claimant’s Solicitor-Advocate
My Lord I ask for leave to withdraw the record.

Hanna Basha
Carter-Ruck
on behalf of the Claimant

Adam Wolanski
5 Raymond Buildings
on behalf of the Defendant

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