Sheikh v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2019] EWHC 2947 (QB) (04 November 2019)

Sheikh v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2019] EWHC 2947 (QB) (04 November 2019)

The Article, in its natural and ordinary meaning, asserts as fact that Lord Sheikh has a long history of support for, or close association with, people and organisations expressing anti-Semitic and other extremist views, providing strong grounds for suspecting he is secretly an anti-Semite who approves of and supports such ideologies. The bulk of the Article is factual reporting, not opinion, and there is no further or different innuendo meaning. The imputation is pitched at a level of strong grounds to suspect (Chase Level Two), not outright guilt.

Citation
[2019] EWHC 2947 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Lord Mohamed Sheikh; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 November 2019
Procedural Posture
Libel/defamation / Judgment on Preliminary Issues of Meaning and Fact/opinion
Outcome
Preliminary issues determined: Article bears the meaning specified by the court, primarily as statements of fact, with some opinion elements; no further innuendo meaning found.
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamation, Media Publications, Meaning of Defamatory Statements, Fact Vs Opinion, Innuendo Meaning, Chase Levels
Media Law Defamation Libel Media Publications Meaning of Defamatory Statements Fact Vs Opinion Innuendo Meaning Chase Levels

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 15 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Lord Mohamed Sheikh

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel/defamation / Judgment on Preliminary Issues of Meaning and Fact/opinion

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words and photographs complained of in the Article?
  2. 2 Are the meanings statements of fact or expressions of opinion?
  3. 3 Does the Article bear an innuendo meaning based on special knowledge of the term 'fellow traveller'?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article, in its natural and ordinary meaning, asserts as fact that Lord Sheikh has a long history of support for, or close association with, people and organisations expressing anti-Semitic and other extremist views, providing strong grounds for suspecting he is secretly an anti-Semite who approves of and supports such ideologies. The bulk of the Article is factual reporting, not opinion, and there is no further or different innuendo meaning. The imputation is pitched at a level of strong grounds to suspect (Chase Level Two), not outright guilt.

Court Disposition

Preliminary issues determined: Article bears the meaning specified by the court, primarily as statements of fact, with some opinion elements; no further innuendo meaning found.