George had blasted the tabloid for ‘negligent’ reporting in his op-ed for USA Today. Image: AFP
London:
After actor George Clooney accused a British newspaper of "irresponsibility", for claiming that his fiancee's mother opposed their marriage on religious grounds, the tabloid was forced to issue an apology.
Earlier this week, MailOnline, the website for UK based tabloid Daily Mail, claimed Amal Alamuddin's mother, Baria, wished her daughter to be married within the relatively small Druze sect, reported BBC online.
George, 53, said that the report published by the tabloid had been "negligent" in "exploit(ing) religious differences where none exist". (Also Read: Excerpts from George's article about the tabloid report)
"Freedom of speech can be an inconvenience to private life. We have family members all over the world, and the idea that someone would inflame any part of that world for the sole reason of selling papers should be criminal," he wrote in an op-ed for USA Today.
Following his outburst, the tabloid removed the story and issued a statement saying, "The MailOnline story was not a fabrication but supplied in good faith by a reputable and trusted freelance journalist."
"We only became aware of Mr Clooney's concerns this morning and have launched a full investigation. However, we accept Mr Clooney's assurance that the story is inaccurate and we apologise to him, Miss Amal Alamuddin and her mother, Baria, for any distress caused."
"We have removed the article from our website and will be contacting Mr Clooney's representatives to discuss giving him the opportunity to set the record straight."
The Druze are a religious sect whose beliefs are based on Islam but also incorporate elements of other religions.
The Monuments Men star got engagement to Amal, a London-based lawyer, in April this year.
Earlier this week, MailOnline, the website for UK based tabloid Daily Mail, claimed Amal Alamuddin's mother, Baria, wished her daughter to be married within the relatively small Druze sect, reported BBC online.
George, 53, said that the report published by the tabloid had been "negligent" in "exploit(ing) religious differences where none exist". (Also Read: Excerpts from George's article about the tabloid report)
"Freedom of speech can be an inconvenience to private life. We have family members all over the world, and the idea that someone would inflame any part of that world for the sole reason of selling papers should be criminal," he wrote in an op-ed for USA Today.
Following his outburst, the tabloid removed the story and issued a statement saying, "The MailOnline story was not a fabrication but supplied in good faith by a reputable and trusted freelance journalist."
"We only became aware of Mr Clooney's concerns this morning and have launched a full investigation. However, we accept Mr Clooney's assurance that the story is inaccurate and we apologise to him, Miss Amal Alamuddin and her mother, Baria, for any distress caused."
"We have removed the article from our website and will be contacting Mr Clooney's representatives to discuss giving him the opportunity to set the record straight."
The Druze are a religious sect whose beliefs are based on Islam but also incorporate elements of other religions.
The Monuments Men star got engagement to Amal, a London-based lawyer, in April this year.
