The Church Commissioners
The action brought by the Church Commissioners for England against The Spectator came before the High Court (Queen's Bench Division) on July 30. The following is the Statement read in open court by plaintiff's counsel: In this case I appear for the -Plaintiffs and my learned friend Mr. John Previte appears for the Defendants.
The Plaintiffs are the Church Commissioners for England. The First Defendants are the proprietors and publishers of The Spectator, The Second Defendant is the editor of The Spectator.
On the 12th January 1974 an article written by the Third Defendant (lain Scarlet) was published in The Spectator. The article was entitled "The Wages of Sin" and dealt with the subject of prostitution in London. In the course of this article it was stated that "many girls operate from premises owned by the churches and administered by their commissioners." The Church Commissioners for England, as part of theirs duties, are responsible for the ownership and administration of a large number of residential estates and properties and they were naturally concerned lest this allegation should be understood to refer to them and pass unchallenged. The Defendants accept that the Plaintiffs have never knowingly let any premises to prostitutes, and the Defendants acknowledge that in the management of the Church Commissioners' properties the highest standards have always been observed and the utmost vigilance has been exercised to prevent any kind of abuse.
The Defendants are here by Counsel to express their regret for having published an untrue and offensive allegation against the Plaintiffs. The Plaintiffs' purpose in bringing these proceedings will thus have been achieved and when my learned friend has addressed your Lordship the only order I shall ask for is that the record be withdrawn.
The Spectator, its Editor and Mr Scarlet, through counsel, accepted • the above statement, expressed their regret at the publication and apologised for the embarrassment thereby caused to the Church Commissioners.
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