Sammy Wilson: Legal action

Mr Wilson, who was elected lord mayor in June, and Ms Rivers alleged breach of copyright.

Their action was due to start in the High Court in Belfast on Monday and a week had been set aside for the hearing.

However, over the weekend, lawyers worked out a settlement.

The pair sat together in court, as a brief statement was read out by a lawyer.

Charles Hill, QC, appearing for Mr Wilson and Ms Rivers told Mr Justice Girvan that the terms of the settlement were confidential.

Brian Fee, QC, then read a statement which said: "The defendants apologise for the embarrassment and distress which they accept was caused to the plaintiffs by publication of the pictures."

'Face spotlight'

Outside the court, the lord mayor said: "The first thing we are very happy about is that we have got a public apology for the abuse of stolen pictures, and second some recompense for that."

He said the papers had settled the case rather than "face the spotlight of truth".

Jim McDowell, northern editor of the Sunday World, denied the pictures were stolen.

He said he would "do it again" if he came into possession of similar pictures again, and it would not matter whether it was Mr Wilson, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, First Minister David Trimble or SDLP leader John Hume.

He added: "A public representative cavorting around in the nude, we had a bit of fun with it."