A new scholarship supporting state-educated students will be funded by a payout from the Mail on Sunday (MoS) to Labour MP Catherine Atkinson. The Derby North MP stated she will use around £5,000 from the MoS to fund scholarships for local law students at the University of Derby who attended state schools.
The MoS made the payout after Atkinson threatened legal action. In early July, the newspaper falsely claimed Atkinson had attended a private school and concealed it, despite her corrections to journalists. The MoS later apologised and paid damages and legal costs.
Atkinson, who attended Sacred Heart high school, a Catholic comprehensive in Hammersmith, west London, said she is using the settlement money to support students from Derby's state schools in beginning their law careers. The 'Catherine Atkinson future lawyers award' will provide a £500 award each year for at least 10 years, open to first-year law students educated at a state school within the city of Derby.
Professor Kathryn Mitchell, the University of Derby's vice-chancellor, welcomed Atkinson's support, stating the university aims to create opportunities for all and that the award will provide financial support as recipients begin their degrees.