MR Robert McCartney, the United Kingdom Unionist MP, received £80,000 sterling libel damages against The Irish Times yesterday. He said later that he was giving £55,000 of it away.
The barrister and MP also received an apology in the High Court in Belfast for allegations made about him in an article written by Mr David Ervine, of the Progressive Unionist Party, published last January 27th.
Mr John Gillen QC, for Mr McCartney, said the action had been settled for £80,000 with an agreed apology to be read in court.
Mr Brian McKee, counsel for The Irish Times, said the article alleged that Mr McCartney had been insincere and guilty of chicanery when he had stated that he was laying aside his legal practice to serve his constituents and concentrate on his political career.
The apology continued: "The defendant fully accepts that there is no foundation whatsoever for this allegation and that Mr McCartney has unequivocally complied with his stated intention.
"The defendant regrets that such an allegation was published and apologises unreservedly to Mr McCartney for the distress and embarrassment caused to him.
"The defendant has also agreed to pay to Mr McCartney the sum of £80,000, in damages and his legal costs.
Outside the court, Mr McCartney said: "The damages paid and the complete apology offered by The Irish Times fully vindicate my integrity to the electorate of North Down.
He intended to make donations totalling £55,000, including £10,000 each to the Families Against Intimidation and Terror group and the RUC Benevolent Fund; and £25,000 would be used to facilitate the cause for which he had come into politics to preserve the Union.