Libel payout over threat to Queen

Mr White said he would never do anything to hurt the Queen

A former SAS soldier has won libel damages and a public apology over an article in a Sunday newspaper which implied he was a threat to the Queen.

John Stephen White, from Brighton, won an undisclosed sum over an article in The People in August 2003 which accused him of stalking the Queen.

Mr White was not named but two photos made him "instantly recognisable".

The High Court heard Mr White was a "staunch monarchist" and he would not do anything to harm the Royal family.

Exemplary record

The article implied Mr White had posed a threat to the Queen and said the police had apparently been warned to keep tabs on him.

It also claimed he had been seen near Buckingham Palace and other Royal homes checking out police security and had been "kicked out" of the Army.

But Mr White said all the allegations were untrue.

The article was accompanied by two photos which, Mr White said, made him recognisable to family and comrades in the SAS.

MGN Limited apologised for any distress caused and agreed to pay a suitable sum in damages and legal costs.

Mr White had joined the Army in December 1984 and in 1989 was attached to the SAS in Hereford until he resigned and went to work for IBM.

He had an exemplary army record and remained a member of the SAS and the Royal Signals Regimental Association.