The Belfast Telegraph has apologised for publishing “a number of fundamental factual inaccuracies and defamatory inferences” about Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Belfast solicitor Paul Tweed, senior partner at Johnsons Solicitors, acted on behalf of the pair in their challenge to the newspaper’s reports.

The dispute revolved around an article headlined “Amber’s dog smuggling ‘cost Johnny $10m’”.

The Belfast Telegraph said it was “prepared to accept Mr Depp’s assurances that the figure quoted was grossly exaggerated and our allegations of self-entitled behaviour and frivolous spending on the part of Mr Depp were totally unfounded and should not have been published in the first place”.

It also said it would make a donation to The Art of Elysium charity at Mr Depp and Ms Heard’s request.

In a statement, Mr Tweed said: “The Belfast Telegraph is the latest newspaper to formally apologise to Johnny Depp and Amber Heard regarding totally false allegations, on this occasion relating to grossly exaggerated expenditure.

“This follows an earlier apology from the Mirror regarding equally unfounded allegations, on that occasion relating to the state of the couple’s marriage.

“Johnny and Amber hope that these and other apologies offered to them will finally put an end to unfounded speculation and reports of this nature in the media.”