The Mail pays libel damages to Treasury Counsel over alleged errors in Ben Stokes prosecution

The Mail has agreed to pay libel damages and legal costs to Treasury Counsel Alison Morgan after suggesting that she was facing criticism for selecting the wrong charges in the prosecution of international cricketer Ben Stokes and responsible for a decision not to charge fellow England cricketer Alex Hales.

An apology published in the Mail Online stated "An article on 15 August 2015 suggested that Treasury Counsel Alison Morgan was facing criticism for selecting the wrong charges in the prosecution of Ben Stokes and his co-defendants and that she was responsible for a decision not to charge England cricketer Alex Hales.  We accept the allegations were incorrect and, in fact, the charging decisions were made by the CPS.  We apologise to Ms Morgan for any distress caused".  

A similar apology was published in the Daily Mail.

On 14 August 2018 Ben Stokes and two co-defendants were acquitted of affray at Bristol Crown Court following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub on 25 September 2017.  A number of England players had attended the nightclub to celebrate a victory against the West Indies. Alex Hales was not charged with any offence. Both cricketers are presently the subject of disciplinary proceedings brought by the English and Wales Cricket Board ('ECB') before the Cricket Discipline Hearing in respect of the incident.  A hearing is understood to be scheduled for 5-7 December 2018.

Alison Morgan was represented by Iain Wilson and Alex Cochrane of Brett Wilson LLP and William Bennett of 5RB.