A London Muslim charity have won £60,000 damages after a paper suggested it was linked to terrorism.

Express Newspapers apologised for linking Interpal to Palestinian political and certified terrorist organisation Hamas. The charity provides relief and development aid to Palestinians, part of which is currently under a land sea and air blockade by Israel.

Six trustees of the UK group sued over an article in the Daily Express that appeared on its website in December 2009. The money will be paid into the groups fund and will also bear legal costs.

The article focused on the failed US Christmas Day bombing and according to lawyers Carter Ruck it:

"falsely alleged that Interpal supported Hamas, notwithstanding that Hamas is deemed a terrorist organisation under UK anti-terrorism legislation".

A statement read in the High Court this morning said:

"Interpal does not support Hamas and would not enjoy its charitable status in this country if it did support Hamas.

Interpal is not affiliated to any political (let alone terrorist) organisation, whether officially or unofficially, nor does it support any such organisations."