A woman has secured damages from the publisher of the Daily Mail, after “false private information” was published about her relationship with one of Blackburn’s billionaire Issa brothers.

Victoria Price, who joined global consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal earlier this year, has secured damages against Associated Newspapers Limited.

In a statement, read in the court on October 17, Ms Price’s lawyer, Jess Alden of Slateford, said the claim was in relation to the publication of private and false private information in two articles, published in February 2024. The claim arose out of reporting of Ms Price’s relationship with Mohsin Issa, who founded the EG Group alongside his brother Zuber.

The articles were said to contain “private and intrusive details” including information about her “relationships and religious beliefs”

Ms Alden told the court: “As a result of pressure and speculation from a range of media organisations, Ms Price was forced to confirm her relationship with Mr Issa in early February 2024. However, in doing so, they requested through their solicitors that the media refrain from intruding into their private lives.

“Unfortunately, despite this request, two articles were published by the defendant in February 2024 which contained some private and intrusive details, and some false private information about Ms Price’s personal life, as well as her relationships and religious beliefs.”

Commenting on the settlement Ms Price said: “Today’s statement in open court makes clear that I will not tolerate unwarranted invasions of my privacy or false reporting and I am pleased that it concludes this awful chapter.

“I’m massively thankful for the swell of support that I received from friends, colleagues and strangers, but most of all I am grateful to my family for their steadfast love throughout what was a pretty horrific time. It has made us stronger.”

She is donating the damages and a portion of her legal costs paid by Associated Newspapers to charity.

Following the settlement, Slateford founder Chris Scott said: “We’re pleased to see this matter brought to a swift and successful conclusion after an incredibly stressful time for Victoria and Mohsin.

“No-one should tolerate this kind of reporting intrusively targeting successful people’s private lives, and it’s only by someone like Victoria taking a stand against it that deterrence is created to protect everyone else’s freedoms.”

Last month it was announced that Mohsin will step down from running Asda.

Asda said Mohsin is now concentrating on his recently announced move to become sole chief executive of the petrol station forecourts business, EG Group.

He will hand over the reins to chairman Lord Stuart Rose and the management team.

Mohsin will remain co-owner of the chain, alongside private equity backer TDR Capital, and a non-executive on the board.