The BBC has been ordered to pay an estimated £500,000 costs to fertility doctor Mohamed Taranissi, who is suing the corporation over the documentary IVF Undercover.

The payment relates to the BBC’s adoption, and subsequent abandonment, of a qualified privilege defence.

Taranissi’s counsel, Richard Rampton QC, told the court that ‘qualified privilege is put to bed in a coffin marked “costs”.’

The libel hearing will begin in January.