Published On:Saturday, October 23, 2010

By NOELLE NICOLLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

nnicolls@tribunemedia.net

Coroner William Campbell criticised a local tabloid "newspaper" yesterday as being "shameless" and using "intentional lies" about the inquest into the death of Nicola Williamson-Gibson to sell papers.

He said the reports could not go "unnoticed," as "they were so incorrect they amounted to libel."

The Punch reported on the alleged testimony of Nicola's mother, Roevilla Williamson, in its October 18 issue.

Mr Campbell read extracts of the report, saying statements attributed to Mrs Williamson relating to the trip to the Vatican City, the character of Father David Cooper, an interested party, and other "shocking allegations" must have been invented, as they were not said in court.

As indicated by the coroner, the Punch report stated: "A playboy priest dated six girl members of his church and took them all on trips to see the Pope's palace home at the Vatican city in Rome, Italy, coroner's inquest heard."

After producing a copy of the court transcript, which he said he reviewed, Mr Campbell said the Punch's comments were "so extreme," and the matter went beyond "just inaccuracy."

The Punch alleged a suicide note was left by Nicola. This, Mr Campbell said, "is not true."

The matter of the incident being a suicide "is an issue in the case," however, reports that a suicide note was a part of the evidence presented to the jury in the inquest "is untrue," and was never a part of the testimony of Mrs Williamson.

"When there is such false representation of the proceedings of court, it affects all interested parties; it amounts to contempt of court (and) brings the proceedings into disrepute," said lawyer Alfred Sears, who is representing the Catholic Church.

He asked the coroner to refer the matter to the Attorney General in the interest of the court. He said he would advise his client with respect to the matter of libel.

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