The Mail on Sunday has issued a formal apology to a council worker falsely accused of acting as a 'fixer' for cab drivers involved in crimes against young girls in Rochdale.
In a statement read at the High Court in London, William Bennett QC, representing Wajed Iqbal, said the article published on May 14, 2017, made 'grave allegations' that Mr Iqbal was a fixer for predatory cab drivers and had been warned by his employer for deficiencies in his work. The allegations were false and caused 'huge and continuing distress'.
As part of a settlement with Associated Newspapers, the publisher of The Mail on Sunday, the newspaper agreed to pay substantial damages and offered sincere apologies. Mr Iqbal accepted the apology and acknowledgment that the claims were untrue.
The case highlights the importance of accurate reporting, particularly in sensitive cases involving child sexual exploitation. The newspaper has also reminded readers of the process for reporting inaccuracies via email or through IPSO.
