Solicitors Kevin Winters and Joe McVeigh of Belfast firm KRW Law and barristers Brendan Kelly QC and Stephen Toal BL launched proceedings in relation to a 2020 interview in which Mr Best made comments about the trial.

The lawyers had acted for Mr Jackson in the high-profile nine-week trial in which he and three others were found not guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman.

Under the terms of a settlement agreed by the parties, Mr Best will pay a substantial sum to the plaintiffs, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Best said he “had not intended to impugn the integrity of these lawyers, who at all times treated me with the utmost respect and professionalism”.

Rory Lynch, the solicitor representing the plaintiffs, said: “Our clients are very satisfied with this comprehensive and categoric, albeit belated, vindication of their reputations.”