Former Coronation Street actor Qasim Akhtar has received "substantial" libel damages from News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, to settle a High Court claim. The settlement resolves a libel action initiated earlier this year over a story that contained false allegations about Akhtar.
The article, published in November both online and in print, alleged that Akhtar, who played Zeedan Nazir in the ITV soap from 2014 to 2018 and again from 2021 to 2023, had "backed" and "teamed up with" Islamic cleric Uthman ibn Farooq. It further claimed he was associated with extremism, radicalisation, and violence, and had "moved to Pakistan" and "trained with guns."
NGN has previously issued an "unreserved" apology to Akhtar for the "serious harm and distress caused to him by the publication of these false allegations."
During court proceedings, which Akhtar did not attend, his lawyer Daniel Taylor read an agreed statement. The statement confirmed NGN's agreement to pay "substantial damages" and cover Akhtar's legal costs. Taylor added that the defendant acknowledged the publication caused "serious harm to Mr Akhtar's reputation and also caused him great distress," impacting his family life and business interests, which were put on hold. The statement also noted that NGN acknowledged failing to obtain Akhtar's response to the allegations before publication.