Exhibit 99.6
May 31, 2005
McTEAR CLAIM AGAINST IMPERIAL TOBACCO FAILS
Lord Nimmo Smith, sitting in the Court of Session in Edinburgh, today dismissed the McTear tobacco litigation claim against Imperial Tobacco, stating: “the Pursuer’s case fails on every issue”.
In response to the judgment, the Company said:
“We are pleased but not surprised at the judge’s decision to dismiss the McTear claim.
“We regret that we have had to defend ourselves against what we always believed to be a speculative claim, brought by a claimant who had been refused legal aid on four separate occasions.
“We have never lost or settled any tobacco litigation and will continue to defend ourselves robustly against any further speculative claims.”
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Alex Parsons |
| Nicola Tate |
Group Media Relations Manager |
| Investor Relations Manager |
0117 933 7241 |
| 0117 933 7082 |
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Simon Evans |
| John Nelson-Smith |
Group Media Relations Executive |
| Investor Relations Manager |
0117 933 7375 |
| 0117 933 7032 |
Notes to editors
Alfred McTear commenced the action against Imperial Tobacco in January 1993 in the Court of Session, Edinburgh. His wife Margaret McTear formally took over as the claimant in December 1993.
The trial began on October 7, 2003. Final submissions were completed on February 20, 2004.
