Sir David Barclay loses libel case over play linked to his life

Sir David Barclay is reportedly having to pay around tens of thousands of euros after losing a lawsuit he filed in France.

Mr Barclay, who is one of the twins who lives in a castle on Brecqhou, sought damages after the release of a play which satirises him and his brother Frederick.

The billionaire, who owns The Telegraph newspaper and The Ritz Hotel, tried to sue playwright Hédi Tillette de Clermont-Tonnerre for €100,000 (£89,000) for his play, The Two Brothers and the Lion.

He also wanted a public apology from the playwright.

Mr Barclay claimed that the play 'defamed him and invaded his privacy'

At the hearing, his attorney Christophe Bigot said the play infringed on Mr Barclay's private life revealing personal details which caused him to seem 'ruthless and cruel.'

Instead the French court in Caen, Normandy ruled that Sir David should pay damages to the writer for infringing the right to show the work.

The play relates to to lengthy feud between the Barclay twins and the Sark authorities over the Island's former feudal status and medieval inheritance laws.

Even though the play does not directly mention the brothers by name, Tonnerre is said to have been inspired by how the Barclays made their fortune.

The Two Brothers and the Lions has already played to audiences in Paris on over 300 occasions.

The court ruled that the play did not reveal 'unknown, extraordinary or damaging facts'.

The court have ordered the billionaire to pay moral damages to the playwright, and damages to each of the three theatre companies involved in producing the play, as well as legal costs.