Telegraph Media Group apologised to Zia Chishti on March 17, 2025, and agreed to pay him “substantial” damages in a libel case.
The settlement responds to false reports about the tech mogul and ends a lengthy legal battle. Chishti, the founder of Afiniti, described the outcome as a victory for his reputation.
Mr Chishti said: 'My accuser lied to the US congress, lied when she told them all kinds of abhorrent things about my behaviour and conduct. Congress did not give me the opportunity to reply…thankfully, here in the UK I was able to bring a claim for libel against the Telegraph.' pic.twitter.com/OzGWjAzRuF
— CourtNewsUK (@CourtNewsUK) March 17, 2025From 2021 to 2023, The Telegraph published articles about Tatiana Spottiswoode’s allegations against Chishti, in which she claimed he groomed her when she was a teenager. In 2023, a High Court judge ruled that these articles were defamatory. The articles alleged that Chishti pursued her with threats, resulting in an abusive relationship. Chishti denies all of these claims.
Here is tech entrepreneur Zia Chishti speaking after the Telegraph apologised and paid him substantial damages in a libel settlement. The newspaper had reported on sexual misconduct claims made by former Afiniti employee Tatiana Spottiswoode to a US Congress committee pic.twitter.com/BAeQw3VHa0
— CourtNewsUK (@CourtNewsUK) March 17, 2025The Telegraph initially defended its stories, asserting that they were true and served the public interest. However, it has since changed its stance. It issued an apology in court, online, and in print, stating, “We regret the harm caused.” Furthermore, it will cover Zia Chishti’s legal costs. This libel settlement represents a victory for him.
Read: Zia Chishti Wins Major Defamation Lawsuit Against Narratives Magazine
Chishti said, “These lies hurt my family and business.” Last year, he won Pakistan’s largest defamation award for similar allegations. Now, he hopes to share his perspective with the US Congress. “The Telegraph’s apology helps repair the damage,” he added. His lawyer, Ben Chew, described it as a vindication.
