Cat Stevens awarded terrorist slur payout

Cat Stevens said yesterday he had been awarded 'substantial damages' by two newspapers which alleged he supported terrorism.

The singer, who became a Muslim and changed his name to Yusuf Islam, said The Sun and The Sunday Times published apologies after the articles appeared last October.

'It seems to be the easiest thing in the world these days to make scurrilous accusations against Muslims,' he added.

Richard Caseby, managing editor of the Sunday Times, said: 'The Sunday Times denied liability and was in dispute with Cat Stevens' lawyers interpretation of the article.'

The Sun did not make any comment.