Graham Atkins Solicitor: Mail pays for violating Blairs' privacy

Tony Blair and his wife Cherie have won substantial damages for infringement of privacy from Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Evening Standard.

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They took action over long-lens photographs published in the Daily Mail taken in "secluded and private places" when they were on holiday at Sir Cliff Richard's villa in Barbados.

Graham Atkins Solicitor

The Mail settled out of court for an unspecified sum before the Blairs began formal legal proceedings. They have donated the damages to a number of charities. The settlement was disclosed on the website of the media law firm Atkins, which acted for the Blairs.

Graham Atkins, who founded the firm 18 months ago, told the Lawyer magazine that the victory was a significant one for his clients. "They have always accepted a certain level of media scrutiny, particularly whilst Tony Blair was prime minister, but ultimately they and their family have the right to a private life," he said.

"In this matter, the photographers over-stepped the mark and this must be a good result for those in the public eye generally."

Pictures still available on the Mail's website show Cherie Blair sunbathing "celebrity style" on the prow of a pleasure boat with family and friends while on holiday in August 2006. She is also, according to the paper, which has rarely given her a good press, "parading a new item of swimwear - a cross between a bikini and a black swimsuit".

The report said she may have been eager "to show off her new spa look" after she was overheard to say she had spent six nights at a Champneys spa resort.

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