ROBERT Murat today accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages and an apology from British Sky Broadcasting Ltd following an allegation linking him to the abduction of Madeleine McCann.

ROBERT Murat today accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages and an apology from British Sky Broadcasting Ltd following an allegation linking him to the abduction of Madeleine McCann.

London's High Court heard that an article and video on the Sky News website claimed that in the early days after Madeleine's disappearance from Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007, Mr Murat's behaviour was reminiscent of child murderer Ian Huntley.

The article also claimed that Mr Murat had tried to mislead journalists.

Victoria Shore, for BSkyB, which is also paying Mr Murat's costs, apologised for the allegations, and the distress caused.