Two UK papers apologise to Muslim couple for false allegations

OLDHAM: Two UK newspapers -- The Telegraph anf The Sun -- have apologised and agreed to pay costs and damages to a husband and wife over an article that wrongly claimed they were responsible for an Islamist “Trojan Horse” plot at a primary school, international media reported.

Nasim Ashraf and Hafizan Zaman were said to have plotted a “campaign of intimidation” to take over Clarksfield Primary School in Oldham with the “aim of imposing an aggressive and separatist agenda” on students.

The claims against the married couple were published in two separate article sin the said newspapers last year in February. In an apology published on Thursday, the Telegraph said: “We accept that such allegations are unfounded.”

The Sun said: “We now recognise these allegations are unfounded, and they were not involved in any alleged Trojan Horse plot. Contrary to the allegations made by The Sun, the report confirmed that he is not an “extremist” said a spokesperson for Rahman Lowe Solicitors, who represented the couple.

Ashraf said that they were very pleased that the newspapers have apologised for what they accept are completely false allegations. “It is important that journalists report responsibly and not become ‘churnalists’, churning out any baseless accusation.

“In today’s times, as falsehood is spread quickly on the internet and accepted as true, this responsibility must be exercised with even greater care. “Hafizan and I have done nothing but positively contribute in a society, which regrettably, finds many reasons to divide communities and it was therefore surprising to us that we had been targeted in this way. “Whilst we are pleased and relieved that we have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Telegraph, our struggle for justice shall continue until we have been vindicated by other media outlets who have also churned out similar defamatory allegations against us.” The couple were represented in their claim against the Telegraph by Rahman Lowe Solicitors and Doughty Street Chambers.