Pilot wins damages for defamation

A British Airways (BA) pilot has won "substantial damages" from a national newspaper following allegations he gave two stewardesses a date-rape drug.

The Daily Mail claimed Tony Pollock, 50, was being investigated over claims he gave the drug to the women during a stop-over in Los Angeles.

In fact the women claimed he failed in his duty of care towards them when they became unwell, the High Court heard.

But a BA investigation found there had been no failure by Mr Pollock.

'Complete integrity'

Associated Newspapers, which owns the Daily Mail, agreed to pay Mr Pollock substantial damages and his legal costs and said it would shortly publish an apology.

The court heard Mr Pollock, from south-west London, was a man of "complete integrity" who was an "experienced and highly respected" Boeing 747 captain.

Afterwards the court case, he criticised England's libel laws which offer no legal aid or financial support.

Mr Pollock said: "This article could have cost me my career, house and financial stability.

"It cannot be right that someone unfairly vilified in a national newspaper should have to risk everything they own in order to defend their reputation and force an apology."