Businessman speaks of libel win

A businessman who won a libel action against Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has assured fans his legal battle was not directed towards the football club.

Former club director Melvyn Levi said he was a lifelong supporter who only wanted the best for the club.

The High Court ordered Mr Bates, 78, to pay £50,000 libel damages to Mr Levi over allegations he had tried to blackmail the club.

Mr Bates failed to prove fair comment and justification, the judge said.

Mr Levi, 65, brought the action at London's High Court over a letter and three articles written in Leeds United match-day programmes.

He said he was accused of being a "shyster" who had tried to blackmail the club.

At a news conference in Leeds, Mr Levi said: "I have been and will remain a lifelong Leeds United supporter. I will continue to follow the club' progress with interest and enthusiasm.

"The whole episode has been hugely upsetting to me"

"I wish the club the very best for the future and hope next year will be a promotion season."

He said: "The action had nothing to do with Leeds United, to whom I wish only success."

Mr Levi added: "The whole episode has been hugely upsetting to me."

Judge Sir Charles Gray said the libel action arose from events surrounding the acquisition of Leeds United by a consortium headed by Mr Bates in 2005.

Mr Levi claimed the material in the club programmes contained "grave and offensive" libels which "seriously injured" his reputation.

He was one of the members of the Yorkshire Consortium which bought the club about 10 months before Mr Bates's purchase.

The judge ruled that Mr Bates had failed in his defences of justification and fair comment.

Mr Bates was refused permission to appeal, but could still apply directly to the Court of Appeal.

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