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Kent police have paid £15,000 damages to a BBC journalist who exposed poor care standards in a residential home for people with learning difficulties in Kent, writes Clare Jerrom.

Donal MacIntyre has been successful in a libel action against the chief constable of Kent and two colleagues for their comments about the programme in the MacIntyre Undercover series. It is believed to have been the first time that police have been successfully sued for defamation.

Speaking outside the high court earlier this week, MacIntyre said: "Kent police today acknowledged that the Brompton Care Home programme gave a fair and accurate impression of life there, and exposed distressing and unacceptable behaviour by some members of staff."

"People with learning difficulties have a right to quality to care and protection, free from abuse, and I am delighted that we have been completely vindicated," he added.

The journalist has decided to donate the money to two charities for people with learning difficulties.

Brompton home in Gillingham was closed following the broadcast of the programme on BBC1 in November 1999, and Medway council launched an independent investigation. Police inquiries resulted in two people being cautioned for five offences of criminal assault.

Deputy chief constable Robert Ayling said: "Kent Police have apologised to Donal MacIntyre for unjustified comments made by members of the force regarding issues arising from the programme concerning the Brompton Care Home.

"The force accepts that the programme served the public interest by revealing serious shortcomings in the way the home was run," he added

People First, a charity which campaigns for people with learning difficulties has welcomed the announcement that MacIntyre will be awarded damages, and hopes it will make all police forces realise that they must take crimes committed against people with learning difficulties seriously.