Lawyers for UK newspaper Daily Telegraph owner Hollinger International began laying out the case against controlling shareholder Conrad Black, saying he took several payments without authorisation.

Embattled newspaper baron Conrad Black has hit back at several of his biggest critics at Hollinger International, filing a lawsuit in Toronto claiming that they defamed him.

Hollinger Inc., the Toronto-based holding company controlled by newspaper baron Lord Black of Crossharbour, announced that one of its independent directors has stepped down just four days after being named to the post.

CONRAD BLACK has quit as chief executive officer of Hollinger International Inc, and has put the company up for sale after an internal investigation found he misled shareholders over $32 million paid to executives.