Rush case set for trial

OSCAR winner Geoffrey Rush’s defamation case will go to trial in August, a court has heard.

In the interim Sydney’s Daily Telegraph will consider appealing a preliminary judgment in which a Federal Court judge struck out parts of its defence to the legal action brought by the star.

Mr Rush is suing the Telegraph after it reported his costar in King Lear lodged a complaint with the Sydney Theatre Company over his “inappropriate behaviour”.

Justice Michael Wigney yesterday agreed with an application by Mr Rush’s lawyers to remove “truth” from the Telegraph’s defence.