Colonel Tim Collins won a courtroom battle in Northern Ireland today and was awarded substantial libel damages in Belfast against two national newspapers.
Afterwards, Col Collins (43) whose eve-of-battle address to his troops during the Iraq War won worldwide acclaim, refused to make any comment. The amount of today's High Court damages was not disclosed.
Lawyers for the Sunday Expressand Sunday Mirrornewspapers apologised after admitting allegations - which included linking him and men of his Royal Irish Regiment to murder investigations of Iraqi soldiers - were untrue.
The Northern Ireland-born officer, a father of five, is leaving the British army in August after 22 years' service. He was promoted to colonel last July.
His lawyer, Mr Ernie Telford, said he was relieved his client's name had been cleared. "This was a hugely important issue he [Col Collins] had to fight on his own. He is used to leading his men into conflict for a cause which he believes is right and just, but this time he was by himself.
"He put his reputation and his financial security on the line, but he has emerged a stronger person for the experience. It has taken its toll, however," Mr Telford said.