Sheikh v Associated Newspapers Ltd

Sheikh v Associated Newspapers Ltd

The Article, in its context, conveys 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 sympathises with Holocaust denial, Islamist jihad and hate preaching, which he is prepared knowingly and actively to support; this is shocking and disturbing. The bulk of the meaning is factual, not opinion. There is no true innuendo meaning beyond the natural and ordinary meaning.

Parties
Claimant: Lord Mohamed Sheikh; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 November 2019
Procedural Posture
Libel / Preliminary Issue Trial on Meaning and Fact/opinion
Outcome
Determination of preliminary issues: Article conveys factual allegations of strong grounds for suspecting claimant's support for extremist ideologies; bulk of meaning is fact, not opinion; no true innuendo meaning.
Legal Topics
Libel, Media Law, Defamation Act 2013, Fact Vs Opinion, Chase Levels, Innuendo Meaning
Defamation Libel Media Law Defamation Act 2013 Fact Vs Opinion Chase Levels Innuendo Meaning

Case Brief

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Parties

Lord Mohamed Sheikh

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Preliminary Issue Trial on Meaning and Fact/opinion

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words and photographs complained of?
  2. 2 Are the meanings statements of fact or expressions of opinion?
  3. 3 Is there a true innuendo meaning based on special knowledge of the term 'fellow traveller'?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article, in its context, conveys 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 sympathises with Holocaust denial, Islamist jihad and hate preaching, which he is prepared knowingly and actively to support; this is shocking and disturbing. The bulk of the meaning is factual, not opinion. There is no true innuendo meaning beyond the natural and ordinary meaning.

Court Disposition

Determination of preliminary issues: Article conveys factual allegations of strong grounds for suspecting claimant's support for extremist ideologies; bulk of meaning is fact, not opinion; no true innuendo meaning.