Further apologies to Uri Geller in the High Courts

1992 G 395IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION BETWEEN URI GELLER Plaintiff and PROMETHEUS BOOKS INC PROMETHEUS BOOKS (UK) (a firm) EDDINGTON HOOK LIMITED VICTOR J. STENGER Defendants;
AFFIDAVIT OF MICHAEL HUTCHINSON
AFFIDAVIT OF PAUL KURTZ
It is reported that Mr. Uri Geller and the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of the Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) have now reached by mutual agreement a comprehensive settlement in relation to the last remaining law suits between them. This follows earlier settlement of the action against James Randi and Mr. Geller`s agreement not to pursue the 500,000 Yen award obtained by him against Randi in the courts of Japan. The Japanese publishers who printed Randi’s remarks about Uri Geller settled out of court with Uri, paying him an undesclosed very large amount of money, comparable to that which would have been obtained in the American Courts. The settlement reached with CSICOP includes dismissal of the case pending in the English courts against Prometheus Books, Victor Stenger, Paul Kurtz and others. This case was shortly to be set down for trial. Paul Kurtz is the Chairman of CSICOP and the manager of Prometheus Books (Defendants in the English Action). Mr Kurtz and Prometheus have agreed to send a letter confirming that they issued an “errata” in all editions of the book, “Physics and Psychics” since they first learned of the error in 1992, and will ensure that any future edition will not contain those erroneous statements. In an edition of its publication Skeptical Briefs, CSICOP claimed it had incurred Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in costs defending the libel actions against it. Another individual defendant claims to have incurred approximately $250,000 in costs defending himself from various libel actions. In June 1992, Kurtz had issued a sworn Affidavit, stating inter alia: Prior to publication [of the book] neither I nor anyone employed by (Prometheus Books, Inc.) were aware that there were any errors in “Physics and Psychics” and I never knew that it contained the words complained of until I heard from the solicitors for the Plaintiff. …I now understand that it is untrue … I unreservedly apologize to him both on behalf of myself and the first defendants [Prometheus Books]. Uri Geller stated: I welcome this global settlement of the remaining law suits which arose for the purpose of protecting my name and reputation in various countries where I am well known, against what are now accepted as unjustified attacks. I have accepted Mr. Kurtz` apology, and feel that justice has been done, and my reputation vindicated. My immediate future plans include the forthcoming release of the film inspired by my life story, “Mindbender” directed by Ken Russell and starring Terence Stamp. I have also accepted invitations for television and “live” appearances, and I am currently preparing a TV special with Sir David Frost. Gordon Hausmann, Geller`s principal UK solicitor says: It is sensible for Mr. Geller to settle these disputes, in spite of a strong and compelling legal case, which I believe would have been upheld by the Courts, in order to end protracted litigation in different jurisdictions, and come to an amicable settlement. However Mr Geller continues and will continue to call to account those who defame him. There are a few publications and books that contain inaccurate and libelous statements about Uri Geller, those will eventually be dealt with through the courts. Almost every country has different libel laws and individuals who libeled will have difficulty hiding behind the statute of limitations. In the USA some laws vary from state to state.