Arlene Foster, the Northern Ireland Environment Minister, has won substantial libel damages from the Ulster Unionist Party and three newspapers, it was revealed yesterday.
Apologies were read out at the High Court in Belfast on behalf of the papers involved - the News Letter, Tyrone Constitutionand Tyrone Courier- for false allegations made against Mrs Foster.
They had reported claims that she betrayed unionists, while a member of the UUP, by working to ensure Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat at the 2001 Westminster elections.
Mrs Foster, an MLA for the constituency who later defected to the Democratic Unionist Party, claimed she was defamed and sued for libel.
The case centred on a press release in the name of former MP Ken Maginnis which was carried on the UUP website.
A week-long libel trial was due to begin next week, but confirmation was given yesterday that an out-of-court settlement had been reached.
As part of the settlement, Brett Lockhart QC read out apologies from the three newspapers.
Outside the court Mrs Foster's solicitor, John McBurney, said she was pleased to accept the apologies.
"Mrs Foster was unable to attend court due to commitments in Fermanagh, but she is pleased the case will not have to proceed to trial next week," Mr McBurney said.
"She will now be able to pursue her various other duties."