Joey Barton apologises to Jeremy Vine and pays £75,000 after calling him a paedophile

Former footballer visited by police over social media comments

Barton has agreed to pay Vine £75,000 after calling him a paedophile on social media

Joey Barton has issued a grovelling apology to Jeremy Vine and paid him £75,000 after calling him a paedophile on social media.

The former footballer was visited by police over the comments, which he posted on Twitter in June.

Barton has now agreed to pay Vine £75,000 in damages and has also been ordered to pay his legal costs.

In a statement, Barton said: "I would like to apologise unreservedly to Jeremy Vine for the distress and upset I caused him by calling him a paedophile on social media."

"I deeply regret my actions and I am committed to making amends for the hurt I have caused him." "I have agreed to pay Mr Vine £75,000 in damages and I will also pay his legal costs."

"I hope that Mr Vine will accept my apology and that we can move on from this matter."

Vine has accepted Barton's apology and said he is glad the matter has been resolved.

"I am pleased that Joey Barton has apologised for his defamatory comments about me," Vine said.

"I am grateful for the support I have received from my family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time."

"I hope that this case will serve as a reminder to others that it is never acceptable to make false and defamatory allegations against someone."