Media lawyers and journalists were pleased, according to the Guardian, by the outcome of a defamation lawsuit filed against a writer by Sir Elton John. The writer, who Elton said acted maliciously, wrote the piece from the point of view of the singer, and “poked fun” according to the paper's editor, at his charity work:
“John brought the action following the publication in Guardian Weekend magazine, in July this year, of a spoof diary written by Marina Hyde. ‘A peek at the diary of Sir Elton John' recorded his fictional thoughts about his annual White Tie and Tiara ball, which raises millions of pounds for the Elton John Aids Foundation. ‘Naturally, everyone could afford just to hand over the money if they gave that much of a toss about AIDS research – as could the sponsors,' Hyde wrote, in the persona of the singer. ‘But we like to give guests a preposterously lavish evening because they're the kind of people who wouldn't turn up for anything less.' Photos of the ball had been published by arrangement in OK! magazine under the heading: ‘The stars dazzle in Chopard as they join Sir Elton John and David Furnish for their annual extravaganza.' The singer, represented by solicitors Carter Ruck and, in court, by William McCormick, claimed that the article suggested that John's commitment to the charity is so insincere that he hosts the ball knowing that only a small proportion of the money raised will go to the charity, and that he uses the event ‘as an occasion for meeting celebrities and/or self-promotion'.”
A victory for irony as Elton John loses Guardian libel case [guardian]
You may have missed…
Elton John Says Gays Should Want Separate But Equal [tr]
