Posh pays damages in slander action

Victoria Beckham agreed today to pay £55,000 (€79,673) damages in settlement of a High Court slander action brought by the owners of an autograph shop over a suggestion that an autograph of her husband was not genuine.

The singer and wife of the England football captain was not at London’s High Court to hear the resolution of the proceedings brought by Tim and Glynis McManus, and their son Anthony, of GT’s Recollections at the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent.

Their solicitor, Michael Skrein, told Mr Justice Gray that Mrs Beckham also apologised for the “hurt and damage” which the family and their business had suffered.

“This is appreciated by the McManus family and the good natured approach which has enabled settlement to be reached is underscored by the fact that Mrs Beckham will be providing the McManuses with a set of official merchandise which her husband has signed.”

Mrs Beckham has also agreed to meet the family’s legal costs.