Cole's lawyers turn to internet in Arsenal star's libel case

LONDON – Solicitors for Premiership footballer Ashley Cole are using the internet to find out how articles relating to a 'gay orgy' have affected the public's view of the star.

Lawyers for the Arsenal and England defender's libel case against the News of the World and The Sun will use answers to questions posed on a website as evidence in a civil court case, and some respondents may be called as witnesses.

The papers involved did not mention Cole's name specifically in any of the stories. However, they printed a doctored picture, which has since been revealed to be of Cole and a Choice FM DJ.

The Ashley Cole Libel Survey ads will feature prominently on the website for a week, enabling the law firm Teacher Stern Selby to analyse the likely impact the gay rumours had on their client.

PinkNews ran the doctored "Player A" and the original, highlighting how the picture had been doctored in Photoshop.

Benjamin Cohen, editor of PinkNews.co.uk, said: "The use of the internet by Cole's lawyers is ground breaking.

"I can't think of another libel case where the net has played such a major role in the alleged defamation.

"Considering the volume of visitors the pages relating to Ashley receive, it seems sensible for his legal team to gather the opinions of our readers."

PinkNews.co.uk estimates that at least 900 blogs have linked to or posted the photograph showing Cole and the DJ together at the party.

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