When Rupert Murdoch dished the grasping print unions in the same year, Lord Black was able to follow in his slipstream, turning the loss-making Telegraph into a piggy bank both for his other businesses and for himself.

ECONOMIST: Conrad Black's story

But even if Lord Black wins in court, it's hard to see how he wins overall.

FORBES: Lord Black's Bleak Outlook

The driven, abstemious Mr Radler enjoyed sweating profits from small, neighbourhood newspapers in their native Canada, while Lord Black cut a dash as a budding media magnate with his eye for a deal, strong conservative views and flashy erudition.

ECONOMIST: Conrad Black's story