Robbie Williams
wins "gay" libel suit

British pop singer Robbie Williams accepted undisclosed libel damages on Tuesday from publishers of a newspaper and magazines that had claimed he was gay. The defendants, British publishing groups MGN Limited, publisher of The People, a Sunday tabloid, and Northern & Shell PLC, publisher of Star and Hot Stars magazines, agreed to publish prominent apologies to Williams and to pay damages and legal costs.

Zoe Norden, a lawyer representing MGN and Northern & Shell, said: "I accept that the allegations...were untrue. The defendant apologizes to the claimant and expresses its regret for the injury and distress caused."

The cover story of an August 2004 issue of The People suggested that Williams had numerous gay sexual encounters with strangers. Similar stories were published in the two magazines. (AP)