Britain’s leading newspaper, The Telegraph, has issued unprecedented apologies and paid damages to Pakistani-American technology entrepreneur Zia Chishti. But why the apology? Why are the whites suddenly being so kind?
Pseudo Sexual Harassment Allegations
Zia Chishti had sued the Telegraph Media Group (publisher of the Daily Telegraph and the Telegraph online) in the UK High Court over 13 articles published by The Telegraph between November 2021 to February 2023 that republished allegations that Mr. Chishti had harassed and assaulted Tatiana Spottiswoode, a former employee of Afiniti.
Mr. Chisti’s Fight to Clear His Name
In response to these allegations Mr. Chisti initiated libel proceedings against The Telegraph. He fought a tough legal battle with the paper in London for over two years, which involved disclosure and review of thousands of documents between Mr. Chishti and Ms. Spottiswoode.
The subsequent high court proceedings drew on extensive personal communications between Mr. Chishti and Ms. Spottiswoode, as well as hundreds of documents The Telegraph obtained through a subpoena of Ms. Spottiswoode’s attorneys in the United States.
The documents contained intimate conversations which showed that Ms. Spottiswoode repeatedly pursued Mr. Chishti with romantic interest during the periods in which she was claiming she was harassed and assaulted – and made her allegations public after Mr. Chishti had moved on to a different relationship and married his now-wife. It was soon discovered that these allegations made on Mr. Chishti were all along a revenge game.
Read More: Pakistan’s Name on India’s Jersey: A Controversy That Never Was
The Official Apology From Telegraph
The UK’s oldest newspaper has now conceded the allegations it published were false, misleading and defamatory. They have also issued an apology.
This apology will also be published separately both in The Telegraph’s print and online editions.
“The Telegraph apologises to Mr Chishti and his family for the harm they have been caused. Finally, The Telegraph has agreed to pay Mr Chishti a substantial sum by way of damages and a contribution to his legal costs. With these steps, The Telegraph and Mr Chishti have agreed to end the litigation between them.” Read the official apology of Telegraph.
Mr. Chishti Accepts the Apology
Speaking to media outside the court after winning the case, Zia Chishti said The Telegraph apology and settlement is a step in the right direction. He also told the media that despite the 3 year ordeal this controversy has done in his life, he didn’t discuss it openly. The outcome of this case makes Mr. Chishti believe in the justice system again.
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