Davenport Lyons pulls out of presenter's rape ordeal

TRIAL BY MEDIA: firm put in an 'impossible' position

The beleaguered former television presenter connected by the media to rape allegations made by celebrity Ulrika Jonsson last week sought advice from London firm Finers Stephens Innocent after original lawyers Davenport Lyons said that its position had become 'impossible' as a result of other advisers.

Stuart Lockyear, a partner with London-based Davenports, confirmed that the firm was no longer advising the presenter in relation to the rape allegations.

He said: 'It became clear that another firm was advising the presenter at the same time which we felt placed us in an impossible position.'

Sources have indicated that the advice from the unnamed second firm differed from that which Davenport Lyons was giving.

Mark Stephens, head of media at Finers Stephens Innocent who is now working for the presenter, said: 'I don't think that it was Finers Stephens Innocent.

There have been a lot of people offering advice on this case...

different advisers often happen in high-profile cases.

Sophisticated clients have an array of advisers.'

Mr Stephens did not wish to comment on what advice he was giving to the presenter.

He said: 'I think that many people have expressed concern with the trial by media that has taken place.

It is significant that the BBC, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Observer and The Guardian all determined that it would be inappropriate to name him.

'This was not for fear of defamation as the maximum damages he could receive would be 200,000 because of the cap on libel damages.'

Mr Stephens said there were many avenues of redress available.

Jeremy Fleming