Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2003
Source: South London Press (UK)
Copyright: Trinity Mirror Plc 2003
Contact:  http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3106

TOP COP ACCEPTS PAYOUT

FORMER Lambeth police chief Brian Paddick has won "substantial" damages 
from The Mail on Sunday.

Mr Paddick was moved from his position as Borough Commander in 2002 after 
allegations in the newspaper he had smoked cannabis and allowed the drug to 
be taken in his home.

He took action against the newspaper for breach of confidence but the 
matter was settled on Friday before the case came to court. Following the 
agreement, Mr Paddick spoke exclusively to the South London Press. Asked 
for his reaction to the outcome, he said: "Relieved, but one takes a view 
on risk before entering into such things.

"We will have to see what impact it has. People are entitled to their 
private lives and this case helps to draw a line about what is acceptable 
in terms of personal intrusion."

He refused to comment on the size of the damages.

His solicitor, Tamsin Allen, said: "This was a real privacy case. It is 
highly significant that The Mail on Sunday was not prepared to defend its 
decision to publish intimate details on his relationship with a previous 
partner. Its decision represents another nail in the coffin of chequebook 
journalism."

Mr Paddick had pioneered a softly-softly approach to cannabis possession in 
the borough and was the highest ranking openly gay cop in the country.

A spokesman for The Mail on Sunday said: "Mr Paddick is seriously mistaken 
if he believes the settlement of his case establishes any law of privacy.

"Our article dealt with very serious issues of great public interest.

"The Mail on Sunday believes it is highly significant that Mr Paddick was 
unwilling to take his case before a High Court judge."

TheMail onSunday's article led to a police investigation, but the Crown 
Prosecution Service decided not to press charges.

Mr Paddick's struggle to return to the borough was unsuccessful, but he has 
been appointed Acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Met.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart