Looking at both the advert and the article there is, prima facie, plenty of material to bring successful libel charges against the author and indeed against the publisher for printing a clearly libellous advert.
Slamming someone's reputation in printed word is very risky, it is a gift for the victim's lawyers. But then looking at the style and content of the article, the slanderer is not your brightest penny.
This is just so unproffessional and my response is that today I have cancelled my subscription to AP.
Gerry, if you are reading this, have a go at suing them. If the Authority aren't keen on litigation then I am sure many readers here would be happy to chip into a pot to go towards your legal fees. I would gladly contribute.