A 2011 Daily Mirror cover (Credit: Flickr, josephstash)

The UK Daily Mirror is suing its source for a story after the newspaper was sued for libel by soccer player Danny Simpson, according to the Press Gazette. The source? Simpson’s ex-girlfriend Stephanie Ward, who has a child with Simpson. Ward was quoted by the Daily Mirror calling UK pop star Tulisa a “home-wrecker” after photos showed Simpson with Tulisa.

An interesting twist to the story: Ward claims her comments to the Mirror were confidential and part of a negotiation — not for publication, according to the Press Gazette. The Mirror denies that any deal of this sort was made. Ward had contacted the Mirror but says she called the newspaper to discuss how much she would be paid for an interview, the Press Gazette reported. Before the Mirror published its story, Ward told them she didn’t want to be in the story, according to the Press Gazette.

The Mirror‘s publisher Trinity Mirror declined to comment to iMediaEthics. Simpson’s lawyer told iMediaEthics he could not comment. iMediaEthics has attempted to reach out to Tulisa’s lawyer.

iMediaEthics reported in 2014 when Tulisa, a UK X Factor judge, and Simpson said they were suing the Sun over its own 2012 story, which also said that she is a “home-wrecker” and reported on an interview with Ward claiming Simpson cheated on Ward with Tulisa. A spokesperson for the Sun told iMediaEthics this week, “The cases have been resolved.”

Also in 2014, Mazher Mahmood, the “fake sheikh,” was suspended by the Sun over his undercover reporting on Tulisa claiming she helped him get cocaine.

Tulisa was charged over the claims and during the trial, the judge Alistair McCreathe dropped the case against Tulisa, accusing Mahmood of a “deliberate lie” related to witness prep.