Naomi Campbell Wins Elephant Story Damages

Naomi Campbell has won substantial libel damages and a public apology over a false story in The Daily Telegraph.

The story claimed the supermodel was planning to organise an elephant polo match for her partner's birthday in India.

Ms Campbell's lawyer, Gideon Benaim, told a judge in London that the article, published last November, reported "detailed criticisms made of these plans by the animal rights group Peta, who were said to have launched a personal attack on Ms Campbell for promoting animal cruelty".

Mr Benaim told Mr Justice Eady that the story was "simply false and the criticisms unfounded" - there were never any plans for an elephant polo tournament at the 50th birthday celebrations in Jodhpur.

Ms Campbell, 42, was not present in court, but said in a statement: "There were never plans to hold an elephant polo tournament, so the allegations should not have been published.

"However, I am glad that the matter has been resolved and I accept the newspaper's apology."