Sir Elton John sues The Times over tax story
http://entertainment.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201208/91834.php
Sir Elton John says he is concerned about the effect of the articles on his charity work
Sir Elton John is suing The Times for libel over articles he says falsely linked him to immoral tax avoidance.
In two articles by-lined "the secrets of tax avoiders", the Times stated Patrick McKenna of Ingenious Media was Sir Elton's former accountant.
Papers filed at the High Court said the article implied Sir Elton had been advised to engage in tax avoidance.
The Times has already published a correction, acknowledging that McKenna had never been the star's accountant.
However, Sir Elton's lawyers described the correction, published on 22 June, as "wholly inadequate".
They said the four-line apology did not have equal prominence to the original articles, which appeared on pages one and six of the newspaper, adding that it "deliberately ignored the defamatory impact" of the original article.
William McCormick QC stated in Sir Elton's writ that the pop star was concerned about the effect of the Times articles on his charity work.
"The allegations are particularly damaging to the claimant's reputation in the sphere of charity fundraising," he said.
Sir Elton's lawyers said the articles caused their client "severe damage to his reputation and personal distress and embarrassment" and they would be seeking damages for "the sense of insult and injury".
In the original articles, published on 21 June, The Times had discussed the use of film finance partnerships arranged by Ingenious Media, where Mr McKenna is CEO.
But last month, The Times issued a clarification: "We have been asked to make clear that the film finance partnerships arranged by Ingenious Media, whose CEO is Patrick McKenna, do not offer schemes of this type and they have not been involved in moving money offshore to avoid tax.
"It was not our intention to make such an allegation and we are happy to make the position clear."
The Times and Sir Elton were not available for comment at the time of writing
Elton's hate uncensored
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/eltons-hate-uncensored/story-fndo317g-1226444304421
MOLLY Meldrum has gone from daily rehab to international headlines after good mate Elton John slammed Madonna as a "stripper" during an interview with the Aussie music guru.
A fight is said to have erupted over rumours that John's management thought part of the conversation was "off the record" and would not go to air.
During the interview, which aired on Sunday Night John went to town on the Material Girl, labelling her a "nightmare" and even dropping the c-bomb.
"Her career's over - I can tell you that - her tour's been a disaster and it couldn't have happened to a bigger (BLEEP)," he ranted.
"And she looks like a (BLEEP) fairground stripper. She's such a nightmare. Sorry."
While TV land reports say John was "shocked" to find the tirade had been broadcast, a Seven spokesman last night said no one from Camp Elton had contacted the network.
However the video of the rant was removed from the Sunday Night website.
Meldrum was said to have been taken aback by the Rocket Man's comments.
"I love Elton, but when he launched into Madonna I slightly went into shock because Madonna is also a friend of mine," he said.
But the Queen of Pop is less likely to be shocked about this latest attack by the British diva.
Their feud began in 2004, when John accused Madonna of lip-synching during concerts.
Earlier this year John scoffed at her chances of winning a Golden Globe for best original song over him, saying the Queen of Pop "hasn't got a f ... ing chance".
But she ended up taking home the trophy.
The latest outburst was reportedly because Madge had been "horrible" to Lady Gaga, godmother of John's son Zachary with partner David Furnish.
http://entertainment.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201208/91834.php
Sir Elton John says he is concerned about the effect of the articles on his charity work
Sir Elton John is suing The Times for libel over articles he says falsely linked him to immoral tax avoidance.
In two articles by-lined "the secrets of tax avoiders", the Times stated Patrick McKenna of Ingenious Media was Sir Elton's former accountant.
Papers filed at the High Court said the article implied Sir Elton had been advised to engage in tax avoidance.
The Times has already published a correction, acknowledging that McKenna had never been the star's accountant.
However, Sir Elton's lawyers described the correction, published on 22 June, as "wholly inadequate".
They said the four-line apology did not have equal prominence to the original articles, which appeared on pages one and six of the newspaper, adding that it "deliberately ignored the defamatory impact" of the original article.
William McCormick QC stated in Sir Elton's writ that the pop star was concerned about the effect of the Times articles on his charity work.
"The allegations are particularly damaging to the claimant's reputation in the sphere of charity fundraising," he said.
Sir Elton's lawyers said the articles caused their client "severe damage to his reputation and personal distress and embarrassment" and they would be seeking damages for "the sense of insult and injury".
In the original articles, published on 21 June, The Times had discussed the use of film finance partnerships arranged by Ingenious Media, where Mr McKenna is CEO.
But last month, The Times issued a clarification: "We have been asked to make clear that the film finance partnerships arranged by Ingenious Media, whose CEO is Patrick McKenna, do not offer schemes of this type and they have not been involved in moving money offshore to avoid tax.
"It was not our intention to make such an allegation and we are happy to make the position clear."
The Times and Sir Elton were not available for comment at the time of writing
Elton's hate uncensored
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/eltons-hate-uncensored/story-fndo317g-1226444304421
MOLLY Meldrum has gone from daily rehab to international headlines after good mate Elton John slammed Madonna as a "stripper" during an interview with the Aussie music guru.
A fight is said to have erupted over rumours that John's management thought part of the conversation was "off the record" and would not go to air.
During the interview, which aired on Sunday Night John went to town on the Material Girl, labelling her a "nightmare" and even dropping the c-bomb.
"Her career's over - I can tell you that - her tour's been a disaster and it couldn't have happened to a bigger (BLEEP)," he ranted.
"And she looks like a (BLEEP) fairground stripper. She's such a nightmare. Sorry."
While TV land reports say John was "shocked" to find the tirade had been broadcast, a Seven spokesman last night said no one from Camp Elton had contacted the network.
However the video of the rant was removed from the Sunday Night website.
Meldrum was said to have been taken aback by the Rocket Man's comments.
"I love Elton, but when he launched into Madonna I slightly went into shock because Madonna is also a friend of mine," he said.
But the Queen of Pop is less likely to be shocked about this latest attack by the British diva.
Their feud began in 2004, when John accused Madonna of lip-synching during concerts.
Earlier this year John scoffed at her chances of winning a Golden Globe for best original song over him, saying the Queen of Pop "hasn't got a f ... ing chance".
But she ended up taking home the trophy.
The latest outburst was reportedly because Madge had been "horrible" to Lady Gaga, godmother of John's son Zachary with partner David Furnish.
