The Daily Star has written a full apology to Rockstar and paid out an undisclosed amount in damages, after publishing a story featuring news of an entirely fabricated Raoul Moat-based Grand Theft Auto title.
“We made no attempt to check the accuracy of the story before publication and did not contact Rockstar Games prior to publishing the story,” the statement says. “It is now accepted that there were never any plans by Rockstar Games to publish such a game and that the story was false. We apologise for publishing the story using a mock-up of the game cover, our own comments on the matter and soliciting critical comments from a grieving family member.”
“We unreservedly apologise to Rockstar Games and we have undertaken not to repeat the claims again. We have also agreed to pay them a substantial amount in damages which they are donating to charity.”
The full apology can be read here, but please consider not clicking on it to prevent the Daily Star benefitting from the subsequent advert revenue. Whether the charming Jerry Lawton still has a job at the tabloid is not known.
