The UK Daily Mail called the host of the British version of The Apprentice “spiv,” which means, according to Merriam Webster dictionary, “a man who makes money dishonestly.” Now, the Mail is paying the TV host, Lord Sugar, £20,000.
The Mail has also published a July 3 clarification online and in print. The online clarification reads:
“An article published on May 26 described Lord Sugar as a ‘spiv’. This word may be understood to describe a person who is dishonest in his business dealings. We are happy to confirm that this was not the intended meaning, as indeed the article stated he is honest and hard working.”
The comment originally was published in a May 26 article headlined, “If Dave thinks hiring Sir Philip Green and Lord Sugar makes him look cool, he needs Reality Tsar!” According to the Press Gazette, the original headline was “If Dave thinks hiring spivs like Sir Philip Green and Lord Sugar makes him look cool, he needs a Reality Tsar!”
iMediaEthics has written to Green’s representatives to see if he also complained. Green is the chair of Arcadia Group.
Sugar tweeted the news, noting he plans to donate the money to children’s hospital charity Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. iMediaEthics contacted GOSH for confirmation. GOSH told iMediaEthics by e-mail “Unfortunately we are unable to disclose information about contributions from individual donors.”
Sugar posted a photo of him with a mocked up large-size check, which the Guardian noted was fake.
iMediaEthics has written to Sugar’s representatives and the Mail for comment.
UPDATE: 7/12/2016 11:54 AM EST With response from GOSH