BBC Settles With Plaintiff Physician; Defamation Suit Cost One Million Pounds

The BBC is settling with successful fertility doctor Mohamed Taranissi over statements made during a program broadcast in January of 2007. Dr. Taranissi sued for defamation in April of 2007, citing a “biased and irresponsible” report into his clinics. At that time one observer noted that the final costs to the BBC to defend the suit might well be into one million pounds, a prediction that seems to be accurate.

Last fall the network was ordered to pay the plaintiff half a million pounds; by now the costs for the litigation have doubled. Everyone had expected the case to continue but the parties suddenly issued statements that indicated the suit is over. Read more here.