THURS PM: Leeds United chairman Ken Bates ordered to pay £50,000 in libel damages

Jul 2 2009 By Andrew Jackson

Mr Bates, who lives in Monaco and was not present for today's judgment, faces a costs bill believed to be around £1.5 million.

Sir Charles refused him permission to appeal, but he can still apply directly to the Court of Appeal in a bid to take the case further.

The judge said the £50,000 damages he awarded was in respect of the three match programmes "where the defences failed".

Mr Levi’s claim in relation to the letter failed as Sir Charles ruled that this was covered by qualified privilege.

The judge listed a number of factors he had taken into account when calculating the appropriate level of damages, including the "gravity of the libels".

He said the "allegation of blackmail is particularly serious".