Cat Stevens wins settlement

Yusuf Islam, the pop singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, said Tuesday that he had won substantial damages from two British newspapers that alleged he supported terrorism.

“I am delighted by the settlement which helps vindicate my character and good name,” he said after the settlement with the Sun and the Sunday Times.

The singer, who changed his name after converting to Islam in the 1970s, was traveling on a flight from London to Washington when it was diverted to Bangor, Maine, last September. He was then deported from the United States.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department said he was deported after his name turned up on U.S. “no fly” lists because of activities they said could be potentially linked to terrorism.

The two newspapers suggested the U.S. authorities had been right to refuse Islam entry to the country.