Beckhams settle ‘false’ sham marriage libel action

DAVID and Victoria Beckham have settled their libel action over allegations that they are “cynically and hypocritically” trying to present a false image of their marriage to the public.

The couple’s action against the News of the World was due to be tried at London’s High Court in December, but was delayed and was expected to go ahead after the World Cup in June, in which 30-year-old Beckham captains England.

A statement issued yesterday by their spokeswoman, Jo Milloy, said: “The defamation proceedings brought by David and Victoria Beckham against the News of the World have been resolved on a confidential basis.”

Details of the case over a September 2004 article entitled “Posh and Becks on Rocks” were revealed in October during pre-trial applications for disclosure of documents.

Mr Justice Gray heard that the Beckhams’ case was that the article meant that in order to protect their image and for financial reasons, they were cynically and hypocritically trying to convince the public their failed marriage was perfect.

They also claimed it meant their rows brought David Beckham to the edge of a nervous breakdown, were threatening his wife’s health during pregnancy and damaging their children.

The couple also claimed that it meant that while publicly presenting herself as a loyal wife, in private Victoria Beckham was insulting about her husband, telling everyone that he was a vain, arrogant and ranting Essex yob.

The couple’s case was that there was no truth in any such allegations and that they had been defamed by the newspaper.