Hypnotist McKenna wins libel claims
Friday, 28 Jul 2006 12:05
Hypnotist McKenna wins libel claims
British hypnotist Paul McKenna has won a libel case over a newspaper article which claimed he had a false doctorate.
The Daily Mirror reported in October 2003 that Mr McKenna had purchased a bogus degree from LaSalle University, Louisiana.
Mr McKenna claimed that the report, as well as other comments from journalist Victor Lewis-Smith from 1997 onwards had made him a "laughing stock".
Mr Lewis-Smith wrote: "I discovered that anyone could be fully doctored by La Salle within months (no previous qualifications needed), just so long as they could answer the following question correctly: do you have $2,615?"
Mr McKenna, whose self-help business has an annual turnover of £2.5 million, was not at court to hear the judgement.
In his ruling at London's high court today, Mr Justice Eady said: "Mr McKenna was not, in my judgment, dishonest and, for that matter, whatever one may think of the academic quality of his work, or of the degree granted by La Salle, it would not be accurate to describe it as 'bogus'."
How much damages Mr McKenna will receive will be decided at a hearing later this year, although the judge said that they would be "no doubt massive".
A statement issued by Mr McKenna said that he was "delighted" with the verdict.
"I felt I had to bring this case to restore my reputation and protect the livelihoods of those who work for me," he said.