London - A retired rector, sued over claims in a newspaper that a couple had been investigated for satanic abuse of their daughter, yesterday withdrew an apology he was to have made in the High Court.
The Rev Arthur Rowe, former parish priest at St James's Church, Hockwold, Norfolk, had agreed to make the public apology under terms settling the action brought against him and publishers of the Lynn News, by David and Valerie Dallimore, of Thetford.
But his counsel, Mr Martin Collier, told Mr Justice Morland he could not read out Mr Rowe's statement because he had withdrawn his instructions.
The Dallimores' case against EMAP Anglia Newspapers and a journalist, Mr Peter Williamson, was settled as scheduled.