MP to use Mail on Sunday libel payout for law award

An MP who was falsely accused by the Mail on Sunday of hiding a private education has said she is using her libel settlement to support first-year law students who attended state schools.

Catherine Atkinson, who represents Derby North, was paid damages and costs after an article in an early edition wrongly claimed that she attended a private school.

Associated Newspapers, the newspaper's publisher, corrected later editions and published an apology.

The Labour MP, who was state-educated and worked as a barrister for 17 years, is donating at least £5,000 from the settlement towards the Catherine Atkinson Future Lawyers Award, which she is establishing with the University of Derby.

The article, published on 5 July, falsely claimed Atkinson attended a private school and omitted that education from her Who's Who entry.

The MP said in a statement: "I am grateful for the state-school education that helped me build a 17-year career as a barrister.

"The claim that I had concealed a private education from my constituents was false.

"I am using the money from this settlement to support students from Derby's state schools in beginning their own careers in law."

Atkinson's office said her donation would provide one £500 award each year for at least 10 years, which will be open to first-year law students at the university who were educated at a state school within the city of Derby.

The University of Derby said details of the application process and selection criteria would be announced once arrangements had been finalised.

Atkinson said she wanted to improve social mobility in the legal profession.

The Bar Standards Board, the regulatory body for barristers in England and Wales, reported in 2025 that 19.3% of the Bar primarily attended an independent secondary school - a "disproportionately high percentage".

Atkinson said: "Strengthening our justice system means taking seriously who gets the opportunity to work in it.

"When financial barriers keep capable people out of the profession, the public loses the benefit of their talent.

"The legal profession has a shared responsibility to help remove those barriers.

"We should be looking for future lawyers in every school and supporting those who need help to get started.

"There are students in Derby today who could spend their careers defending the rights of others. They deserve the opportunity to build that future."

Vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Derby, professor Kathryn Mitchell said: "The Catherine Atkinson Future Lawyers Award will provide financial support as recipients begin their degrees.

"We welcome Catherine's commitment to social mobility and her investment in local students over the next 10 years."

Associated Newspapers has been approached by the BBC for comment.

Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.