Carson McDowell secures apology from Unite the Union
Reading time: 2 minutes
Fergal McGoldrick
Carson McDowell has secured an apology from Unite the Union on behalf of Nick Coburn CBE, managing director of Ulster Carpets.
Mr Coburn took action against the trade union after it issued a press release concerning pay negotiations which made untrue allegations about him.
Following an exchange of pre-action correspondence, and the issuance of High Court proceedings, Unite published a detailed apology on its websites, on its social media channels, and directly to all those to whom it had originally circulated the press release.
The apology reads:
“On 18 November 2021 Unite published online and disseminated to the media a statement concerning Ulster Carpets, which contained untrue allegations about the Managing Director of Ulster Carpets, Nick Coburn CBE.
“Unite accept that these allegations have no basis in fact, and that the statement contained errors such that it should never have been published. Unite unreservedly withdraws the allegations, and apologises to Mr. Coburn.
“Unite has also agreed to make a donation to a charity of Mr. Coburn’s choosing, and to the legal costs incurred by Mr. Coburn, in order to draw a line under this matter.”
Multi-platform publication of the apology was accompanied by a financial settlement from Unite, with the proceeds going to a charity of Mr Coburn’s choice.
Fergal McGoldrick, senior associate in the media, communications and reputation team at Carson McDowell, with counsel Gerald Simpson KC, acted for Mr Coburn in the proceedings.
Speaking following resolution, Mr Coburn stated: “I am very pleased this case has been resolved to my satisfaction. I am delighted that all proceeds from the resolution of this case will going directly to a local Charity.”
Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss articles like this one:
SUBSCRIBE
