RUGBY DUO’S MOVE IN DOUBT ENGLISH CLUB DENIES IT WILL SIGN JACKSON AND OLDING
FORMER Ulster Rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have accepted judgment against them in a privacy lawsuit taken against BBC Northern Ireland.
The players are also to pay £20,000 costs as part of a settlement reached in their High Court action against the broadcaster.
The outcome was hailed as a vindication of the BBC’s journalism.
Mr Jackson (26) and Mr Olding (25), who were both unanimously cleared of raping the same woman, sued the BBC over initial coverage of their questioning by police.
Writs seeking damages for misuse of private information had been issued after details were published online in November 2016 — months before charges were brought.
Their legal teams contended they weren’t given sufficient notice for a right of reply before the story appeared.
They claimed it was a private matter and raised issues about how the information was obtained.
The BBC defended the claim, contending its reporting was factual and in the public interest, due to the two players’ profile, interest in provincial and international rugby, and the nature of the police investigation.
In March Mr Jackson was acquitted of rape and sexual assault of a woman at his south Belfast home in June 2016.
Mr Olding was also cleared of raping the same woman.
Amid controversy over social media and text messages which emerged during the high-profile trial, a subsequent conduct review resulted in both players having their contracts revoked by Ulster and the Irish Rugby Football Union.
It was expected that their civil actions would resume following their acquittals in the criminal case. But in court yesterday counsel for the BBC Richard Coghlin announced proceedings were being brought to an end on terms outlined.
“We ask the court to enter judgment in favour of the defendant against both plaintiffs,” he said.
The barrister also asked Mrs Justice Keegan to make an order for Mr Jackson and Mr Olding to pay £20,000 plus VAT towards the BBC’s costs.
Peter Girvan, representing the players, raised no issue, adding: “Mr Coghlin has put the position very fairly and accurately.”
BBC Northern Ireland’s head of news Kathleen Carragher said: “We argued throughout this case that our reporting was responsible, accurate, in the public interest and observed the BBC guidelines.”
She added: “We are pleased that the players have accepted this outcome and have also agreed a contribution to our legal costs.”