Courtier-Dutton, Giddings and Irwin

A LIBEL action brought by former directors of Harefield Limited, David Courtier-Dutton, Barry Giddings and John Irwin against the Independent was resolved amicably yesterday with a statement in the High Court.

The plaintiffs had issued proceedings following an article published in the Independent in April 1990 headed 'Acid test for Headlam hopefuls' which suggested that they had misconducted themselves as officers of Harefield.

Counsel for the plaintiffs told the court that the Independent had paid substantial sums of money into court before trial, which the plaintiffs had accepted in settlement of their claims, together with their costs of the action.

The court was told: 'In the circumstances the plaintiffs consider that their reputations have been completely vindicated.'