UK newspaper The Sunday Times has apologised to Daniela Weber, chief operating officer of WPP Holdings Italy, over reports that she had an affair with Marco Benatti, the former WPP Italia 'country manager' [WAMN: 10-Mar-06].
The NewsCorp-controlled title said in a court statement that it accepts the claims were without foundation and has offered an apology for two items published in January and February this year that alleged Weber had had a relationship with Benatti - both of whom strongly denied the allegations.
Mark Thomson, Weber's solicitor, said the newspaper had agreed to pay damages, which would include legal costs, although a figure has not been disclosed.
The stories appeared after Benatti was fired at the beginning of the year over alleged financial improprieties.
Data sourced from Brand Republic (UK); additional content by WARC staff
