High Court rules Sally Bercow's tweet about Lord McAlpine WAS libellous Sally Bercow wrote: 'Why is Lord McAlpine trending? *innocent face*' Tory peer wrongly linked online to Newsnight report into child abuse Judge rules tweet meant that Tory peer was a paedophile Mrs Bercow, who faces huge legal bill, says case has been a 'nightmare' By Matt Chorley and Kerry Mcdermott A tweet by Commons Speaker's wife Sally Bercow about Lord McAlpine was libellous, the High Court in London ruled today. Mrs Bercow faces legal bills running to tens of thousands of pounds after losing a court battle over her tweet in November last year which read: "Why is Lord McAlpine trending? *Innocent face*" A Newsnight investigation aired two days earlier accused a senior Tory politician of allegedly abusing boys at a Welsh care home - but did not give a name. However false rumours circulated on Twitter that Lord McAlpine was involved. Libellous: Sally Bercow's tweet about Lord McAlpine during the child abuse storm was libellous, the High Court ruled today Lord McAlpine, a former Conservative Party treasurer denied all the allegations made by Newsnight and the alleged victim later retracted his account of life at Bryn Estyn care home in the 1770s and 1980s. The BBC later settled a libel claim with the peer, paying damages of £185,000 plus costs. However, Mrs Bercow denied her tweet was libelous and took the case to court. Lawyers for the peer said it pointed 'the finger of blame' at him during a media frenzy. In a damning verdict, Mr Justice Tugendhat said that in its natural and ordinary meaning, the tweet meant that Lord McAlpine was a paedophile who was guilty of sexually abusing boys living in care. He added that, if he was wrong about that, he would find that it bore an innuendo meaning to the same effect. Suffering: Lawyers for Tory peer Lord McAlpine said he had suffered 'unnecessary pain' as a result of the court case while Mrs Bercow said the litigation had been a 'nightmare' Couple: Commons Speaker John Bercow is understood to have disapproved of his wife taking part in reality TV shows The court heard that Mrs Bercow promptly tweeted her apologies, provided letters apologising for the distress caused and making clear that the underlying allegations were untrue, and made an offer to settle the case which still stood. In a statement today, Mrs Bercow insisted she did not post the tweet with 'malice' and did not intend to libel Lord McAlpine. I was being conversational and mischievous, as was so often my style on Twitter Sally Bercow She added that she 'very much regrets' making the online comment and said the months of legal battle have been 'a nightmare'. 'I was being conversational and mischievous, as was so often my style on Twitter,' she added. I very much regret my tweet, and I promptly apologised publicly and privately to Lord McAlpine for the distress I caused him. I also made two offers of compensation. Lord McAlpine issued proceedings and the last few months have been a nightmare. I am sure he has found it as stressful as I have. Litigation is not a pleasant experience for anyone. 'Today's ruling should be seen as a warning to all social media users. Things can be held to be seriously defamatory, even when you do not intend them to be defamatory and do not make any express accusation. On this, I have learned my own lesson the hard way. She said she was 'surprised and disappointed' by the court ruling but will accept it as as the end of the matter. Publicity: Mrs Bercow has regularly courted controversy including posing in the window of Speaker's House Fame: In 2011, Mrs Bercow defied opposition from her husband to take part in Celebrity Big Brother alongside celebrity photographer Darryn Lyons However lawyers for Lord McAlpine said the court case had caused 'unnecessary pain and suffering' to the 71-year-old peer. Andrew Reid of RMPI Solicitors said: 'The apologies previously received from Mrs Bercow did not concede that her tweet was defamatory. Clearly she must now accept this fact. The failure of Mrs Bercow to admit that her tweet was defamatory caused considerable unnecessary pain and suffering to Lord McAlpine and his family over the past six months. With knowledge of the judgment, I am pleased to be able to say that Mrs Bercow has finally seen sense and has accepted an offer of settlement, which Lord McAlpine made back in January. 'Mr Justice Tugendhat's judgment is one of great public interest and provides both a warning to, and guidance for, people who use social media. It highlights how established legal principles apply to social media, and how the courts take account of the particular way in which social media operates when reaching decisions on whether publications are defamatory.