Campbell Awaits Word on Legal Damages

By Stephen M. Silverman

Wednesday July 31, 2002 12:00 PM EDT

Wednesday is D-Day -- as in decision -- for supermodel Naomi Campbell, who is set to learn whether she has defeated a court appeal by Britain's Daily Mirror, reports Reuters. In March, the mass circulation tabloid had been ordered to pay Campbell, 32, $5,493 in damages after it published a story about her battle with drugs and her alleged attendance of Narcotics Anonymous group therapy sessions. At issue in the case was the right of stars to gag the media when it comes to their private lives and the extent of celebrity stories being of legitimate public interest. London's Court of Appeal is now due to decide whether the High Court did the right thing by awarding damages for breach of confidence and invasion of privacy. During the earlier hearing, Judge Michael Morland stated in court that the newspaper had "trashed her as a person in a highly offensive and hurtful manner." In defending the Mirror and launching its appeal earlier this month, defense attorney Desmond Browne cited Campbell's "notorious conduct" and "tantrums" and how she allegedly had lied about her drug addiction.