Daily Mail pays for violating Blairs' privacy

LONDON: Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie have won substantial damages for infringement of privacy from a leading publishing house.
 
They took action against Associated Newspapers -- publishers of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Evening Standard -- over long-lens photographs published in the Daily Mail taken in 'secluded and private places' when they were on holiday at Sir Cliff Richard's villa in Barbados.
 
The Mail settled out of court for an unspecified amount before the couple began formal legal proceedings, The Guardian reported on Friday.
 
They have donated the damages to a number of charities. The settlement was disclosed on the website of the media law firm Atkins, which acted for the Blairs'.
 
Pictures still available on the Mail's website show Cherie Blair sunbathing 'celebrity style' on the prow of a pleasure boat with family and friends while on holiday in August 2006.