Crow v Johnson [2012] EWHC 1982 (QB) (16 July 2012)

Crow v Johnson [2012] EWHC 1982 (QB) (16 July 2012)

The words in the leaflets, in the context of an election campaign, are not capable of being defamatory of Mr Crow as they fall within the latitude permitted by law for political speech and do not lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally.

Citation
[2012] EWHC 1982 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Robert Crow; Defendant: Boris Johnson
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 July 2012
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Application to Strike Out Claim and for Permission to Amend Claim Form
Outcome
Claim struck out
Legal Topics
Defamatory Meaning, Freedom of Expression, Political Speech, Election Campaign Materials, Strike Out Applications
Defamation Media Law Election Law Defamatory Meaning Freedom of Expression Political Speech Election Campaign Materials Strike Out Applications

Case Brief

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Parties

Robert Crow

Claimant

Boris Johnson

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Application to Strike Out Claim and for Permission to Amend Claim Form

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the words in the election leaflets are capable of bearing a defamatory meaning about the claimant
  2. 2 Whether the words are capable of being understood as referring to the claimant

Ratio Decidendi

The words in the leaflets, in the context of an election campaign, are not capable of being defamatory of Mr Crow as they fall within the latitude permitted by law for political speech and do not lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally.

Court Disposition

Claim struck out

Orders

  • Action struck out as not capable of being defamatory of the claimant