Becks autograph row costs Posh over €70,000
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 also faces a total costs bill unofficially estimated at more than £100,000 (€145,000).
Mr Skrein said that Mrs Beckham went to the autograph and memorabilia shop in March 2001.
“When Mrs Beckham entered the shop, there was a picture of David Beckham in a display cabinet at the entrance, and it was autographed by Mr Beckham.
“Mrs Beckham’s attention was drawn to the autograph. She thought that it was not genuine, and said so in the shop.”
He said that unfortunately reports of the visit appeared in national and local press.
“Your Lordship can imagine the damage done to the business of the claimants by the suggestion in the press that they were selling goods which were not the genuine article.
“The McManuses had obtained the autographed photograph of David Beckham from someone they believed to be a reputable dealer and they firmly believe, as they always have, that the autograph of Mr Beckham is genuine.”
