A high court judge has rejected claims by Sir Elton John that his reputation was tainted by being falsely connected to a prominent tax avoidance story.

A June article on a controversial tax avoidance scheme - where millions of pounds were moved offshore through film investment schemes - reported in The Times had mentioned the involvement of Patrick McKenna, who was also alleged to have been a former accountant of the singer/songwriter.

The paper printed a correction the following day denying that McKenna had ever worked for John or that McKenna's business, Ingenious Media, was involved in the tax scheme.

John's legal team took umbrage at the linking of the star with the 'immoral scheme' and were concerned at the potentially damaging effect it would have on his charity work.

In its defence, the paper considered the references to the performer were 'fleeting' and had made clear that any connections with him had been in the past.

Judge Mr Justice Tugendhat accepted that the Rocket man singer might have taken exception to the false business relationship link but said that the references were not capable of bearing the meanings attributed to them, or any other meaning defamatory of the singer.