Paper pays out to Gazza's ex-wife

THE ex-wife of former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has accepted a five-figure payout over a newspaper allegation that she was a liar.

Sheryl Gascoigne was present at the High Court in London for a brief hearing before Mr Justice Tugendhat.

Her solicitor, Roderick Chisholm-Batten, told the judge that a News of the World article suggested she had lied by falsely claiming that her former husband had forced himself on her sexually and that she suffered repeated acts of violence at his hands.

The lawyer said the article was published on 18 October, 2009, and entitled "You Lying Bitch".

Mr Chisholm-Batten said: "The article suggested that Ms Gascoigne had lied in both her book and the interview by falsely claiming that Mr Gascoigne had forced himself on her sexually.

"It also suggested that she had lied in both her book and the interview by falsely claiming that she suffered repeated acts of violence at the hands of Mr Gascoigne."

The defendant, News Group Newspapers, "now accepts that each of these allegations was completely untrue".

He added: "It is here today, by its solicitor, to apologise publicly and unreservedly for the distress and embarrassment that this article has caused Ms Gascoigne. The News of the World has agreed to pay to her damages."

Afterwards, Ms Gascoigne said: "I am just glad it is all over and that justice is done."

The damages figure was not disclosed in court.